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Tke  Journal  of 
Lieutenant  JoKn  McHenry  Hoi 

First  New  York  Volunteers 

[Stevenson's  Regiment] 

SeptenJber  1846  -  August  1840 
HH3TMLUOV  >WOY  WHW  3HT 

tiAT   .Urnuo(,  Hjioi*7.§niIJoH  9/Jl  ni  gniwaib  9/i)  moil  bsDubonqsW 


Being  a  recital  of  the  voyage  of  the  Susan  Drro  to  California;  the 
arrival  of  tke  regiment  in  1847;  its  military  movements  and  -adventure* 
during  1847-1848-1849;  incidents  of  daily  life,  and  ad  'ventures  of  rk* 
author  in  tke  gold  mines. 


SAN  FRANCISCO 

IA  HISTORICAL 
1923 


1 


THE  NEW  YORK  VOLUNTEER 

Reproduced  from  the  drawing  in  tke  Hollingsworth  Journal.  This 
sketch  was  possibly  intended  to  represent  the  Lieutenant  himself. 


The  Journal  of 
Lieutenant  Jokn  McHenry  Hollingsworth 

of  tKe 

First  New  York  Volunteers 

[Stevenson's  Regiment] 
September  1846  -  August  1849 


Being  a  recital  of  tke  voyage  of  tKe  Susan  Drew  to  California;  tKe 
arrival  of  tKe  regiment  in  1847;  its  military  movements  and  adventures 
during  1847-1848-1849;  incidents  of  daily  life,  and  adventures  of  tKe 
autKor  in  tKe  gold  mines. 


SAN  FRANCISCO 

CALIFORNIA  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 
1923 


hi 

13 


Reprinted  from  the  California  Historical  Society  Quarterly, 
Vol  I,  No.  3,  January  1923,  pp.  207-270.  Here  for  the  first 
time  issued  in  book  form.  Three  hundred  copies  have  been 
printed,  of  which  fifty  are  issued  on  large  paper  and  specially 
bound. 


FOREWORD 

The  original  manuscript  of  the  Hollingsworth  Journal,  now 
in  the  possession  of  Mr.  C.  Templeton  Crocker,  is  written  in  a 
ruled  notebook,  6x8^  inches,  327  pp.,  and  illustrated  with  a 
number  of  pencil  and  watercolor  sketches  of  scenes  in  South 
America  and  California.  The  entries  are  dated  but  are  not 
always  consecutively  arranged.  They  are  here  placed  in  proper 
sequence.  The  spelling,  punctuation  and  capitalization  of  the 
original  have  been  followed.  With  the  diary  is  a  chronological 
summary  of  events.  Those  not  mentioned  in  the  diary  are 
enclosed  in  brackets  and  inserted  under  their  proper  dates. 


INTRODUCTION 

THE  STEVENSON  REGIMENT 

In  1846,  the  culmination  of  a  long  series  of  aggressions  and 
acts  of  hostility  on  the  part  of  the  Mexicans  determined  the 
United  States  to  bring  all  controversies  to  some  conclusion,  and 
accordingly  war  with  Mexico  was  declared. 

In  the  deliberations  of  the  government  the  question  of 
California  was  raised  for  early  consideration.  The  territory  of 
California  was  remote  and  but  little  known.  It  had  been 
reached  by  a  few  Americans,  some  of  whom  crossing  the  Rocky 
mountains,  came  with  small  bands  of  trappers ;  a  few  others 
had  come  in  whaling  or  trading  vessels.  It  was  almost  a  terra 
incognita.  The  long  and  tedious  voyage  from  New  York  occu- 
pied from  five  to  six  months.  Some  rumors  had  filtered  back- 
wards of  vague  differences  between  the  Americans  and  the 
Spanish  Californians,  and  several  outbreaks  had  already  occurred. 
As  a  Mecca  the  popularity  of  California  in  1846  was  not  great, 
and  its  attractions  were  not  entirely  alluring. 

In  the  summer  of  1846,  very  early  in  the  war,  President 
Polk  decided  to  send  a  force  of  volunteers  by  sea  to  the  Pacific 
coast.  The  purposes  of  this  contingent  and  its  mission  were 
unusual,  and  quite  different  from  those  of  the  ordinary  expedi- 
tionary force.  The  selection  was  made  with  great  care  and 
intelligence.  They  were  not  mere  adventurers  and  gentlemen 
of  fortune.  They  were  active,  able-bodied  men  who  were  accus- 
tomed to  think  and  act  and  work.  Each  man  was  skilled  in 
some  useful  trade  or  occupation.  They  were  the  men  "who 
transform  the  material  into  the  necessaries  and  luxuries  of 
human  existence."  As  the  regiment  was  to  be  mustered  out  in 
California,  each  man  was  under  obligation  to  remain  there,  and 
to  assist  in  colonizing  the  country. 

The  commander  was  Col.  Jonathan  Drake  Stevenson,  then 
well  known  in  New  York,  and  subsequently  prominent  in  Cali- 
fornia. His  famous  organization  known  as  the  "First  New 
York  Volunteers,"  or  "Stevenson  Regiment,"  consisted  of  767 
officers  and  men,  rank  and  file.  Many  of  them  were  under 
twenty-five  years  of  age. 

In  September,  1846,  under  the  command  of  Col.  Steven- 
v. 


son,  a  part  of  the  regiment  sailed  for  California  on  board  of  the 
three  ships,  Thomas  H.  Perkins,  Loo  Choo,  and  Susan  Drew, 
followed  shortly  after  by  the  remainder  of  the  contingent 
aboard  the  Brutus,  Isabella,  and  Sweden.  They  arrived  in  San 
Francisco  in  March  and  April,  1847.  The  companies  were 
assigned  to  various  posts,  and  some  of  them  saw  action  at 
La  Paz  in  Lower  California.  They  remained  in  active  service 
until  September,  1848,  when  they  were  mustered  out.  Company 
D,  which  was  then  at  La  Paz,  was  without  doubt  the  last  com- 
mand of  American  troops  to  leave  the  soil  of  Mexico  after  the 
close  of  the  Mexican  War. 

The  discovery  of  gold  in  January,  1848,  affected  the  mem- 
bers of  this  regiment  but  little,  and  it  is  to  their  credit  that 
there  were  but  few  desertions,  which  speaks  well  for  the  char- 
acter of  the  men.  The  rapid  growth  of  the  country  following 
the  gold  excitement  rendered  their  obligations  of  permanent 
residence  more  or  less  perfunctory,  and  some  of  them  returned 
to  New  York.  The  great  majority  however  remained  in  Cali- 
fornia, and  as  Historian  John  S.  Hittell  says :  "Stevenson's  men 
as  a  class  became  permanent,  many  of  them  worthy,  and  some 
of  them  prominent,  citizens  of  California ;  thus  justifying  the 
wisdom  of  the  cabinet  in  devising  its  plan  of  enlistment,  and 
selecting  the  agents  who  accepted  the  men."  Another  eminent 
writer,  Cronise,  who  with  Hittell  had  known  many  members  of 
the  regiment  says :  "The  volunteer  service  of  the  United  States 
has  been  honored  by  the  exemplary  conduct  of  the  members  of 
Col.  Stevenson's  regiment." 

R.  E.  Cowan. 


JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 
John  McHenry  Hollingsworth  was  born  in  Baltimore  in 
1823,  the  son  of  Horatio  Hollingsworth  and  Emily  Caroline 
Ridgely.    His  mother  was  a  granddaughter  of  Samuel  Chase, 
one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

August  31,  1846,  he  was  mustered  into  the  service  at  Fort 
Columbus  to  serve  for  the  war,  as  a  brevet  lieutenant  in  Cap- 
tain Shannon's  Company  of  the  7th  Regiment  (Stevenson's  New 
York  Volunteers).  May  2,  1847,  he  was  transferred  to  Com- 
pany G,  and  was  mustered  out  with  that  company,  September 
18,  1848,  at  Los  Angeles. 

After  leaving  the  service,  Lieutenant  Hollingsworth  re- 
mained in  California  in  and  around  the  Southern  Mines,  and  in 

vi. 


1849  he  was  selected  as  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Conven- 
tion at  Monterey,  from  the  District  of  San  Joaquin.  He  took 
an  active  part  in  the  deliberations  of  the  Convention  which 
formed  the  California  Constitution,  and  after  its  adjournment, 
Governor  Riley  selected  him  as  a  bearer  to  the  Government  at 
Washington  of  the  new  Constitution. 

Although  he  was  one  of  the  first  in  the  gold  regions,  he 
accumulated  no  wealth,  and  after  his  return  east  was  appointed 
collector  for  the  Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal.  Sometime  during 
this  period  he  removed  to  Georgetown,  where  he  became  one 
of  the  officers  of  the  Potomac  Light  Infantry,  a  crack  militia 
company.  On  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion  this  company 
was  incorporated  into  the  1st  Battalion  District  of  Columbia 
Volunteers,  with  Hollingsworth  as  major.  He  was  mustered 
in,  May  1,  1861,  for  three  months,  and  mustered  out  as  major, 
July  23. 

No  further  record  of  him  has  been  found  until  he  was 
appointed  Superintendent  of  Mount  Vernon  in  1872.  On  account 
of  ill  health  he  retired  in  1885,  and  thereafter  lived  in  retirement 
in  Georgetown  until  his  death  from  Bright's  disease,  April  15, 
1889,  leaving  a  widow,  Virginia  Nichols,  daughter  of  Colonel 
William  Nichols,  but  no  children.  Mrs.  Hollingsworth  sur- 
vived him  until  1895. 

H.  R.  Wagner. 


vii. 


Journal  of  John  McHenry  Hollingsworth 

A  Lieutenant  in  Stevenson's  Regiment  in  California 


JOURNAL 

Sailed  on  Ship  Susan  Drew  the  26  of  September 

[Sailed  on  board  ship  Susan  Drew  commanded  by  Capt 
Putman  the  26th  of  Sept  1846  with  troops  on  board  bound  for 
California.] 

Nothing  of  any  consequence  occurred  untill  the  twenty 
ninth  when  during  a  gale  of  wind  we  saw  a  vessel  which  created 
some  excitement  and  many  speculations  as  to  what  she  was, 
and  where  she  was  going,  nothing  further  until  the  second  of 
October  when  orders  were  issued  for  the  men  to  parade  bare- 
footed which  was  fun  for  them,  two  dolphins  were  caught  the 
same  day,  they  were  fine  eaten. 

OCT.  7,  saw  a  sail  which  we  took  to  be  the  Perkins  at 
half  past  seven  fired  a  signal  rocket,  received  an  answer  from 
her,  when  she  bore  down  upon  us  passed  within  hailing  dis- 
tance but  didnot  hail 

OCT.  19,  put  one  of  the  men  in  the  guardhouse  for  dis- 
obeying my  orders 

OCT.  20,  had  a  gale  of  wind  the  water  came  in  the  cabin, 
wet  all  my  clothes,  spoilt  some  of  them. 

OCT.  26,  a  swallow  came  and  lit  on  the  vessel  and  was 
caught,  it  made  me  think  of  home  I  thought  it  might  have 
come  from  there  I  thought  of  all  at  home  and  how  much  I 
should  like  to  see  them  I  must  not  let  my  mind  dwell  on 
home,  I  must  go  and  try  to  win  a  name  If  I  fall  in  battle  I 
trust  that  I  shall  die  like  a  soldier  with  my  face  to  the  enemy. 
I  saw  a  great  many  fish  of  different  kinds  and  a  large  shark 
that  we  failed  to  catch 

What  is  your  duty  sentinel  here  to  mind  that  porter  bar- 
rel, sir,  let  no  boats  land,  and  let  no  sharks  come  on  board. 

I  do  not  like  the  sea  If  ever  I  can  get  to  land  once  more 
I  shall  never  leave  it    You  never  feel  well  at  sea.  .  . 


2       JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


OCT.  27.    Written  on  guard  at  one  oclock  at  night. 

By  each  dark  wave  around  the  vessel  sweeping, 
Farther  am  I  from  old  dear  friends  removed. 
Till  the  lone  watch  I  now  am  keeping, 
I  didnot  know  how  much  you  were  beloved 

How  many  acts  of  kindness  little  heeded 

Kind  looks,  kind  words,  rise  half  reproachful  now 

My  friends  my  absent  friends 

Do  you  think  of  me  as  I  think  of  you. 

The  busy  deck  is  hushed  no  sounds  are  wakeing 

But  the  watch  paceing  silent  and  slow 
The  waves  against  the  sides  incessant  breaking 
And  rope  and  canvass  swaying  to  and  fro, 
While  red  and  fitful  gleams  come  from  the  binocle 

The  only  light  on  board  to  guide  us,  where, 

My  friends  my  absent  friends 

Far  from  my  native  land  and  far  from  you. 

Several  sails  appeared  in  sight  to  day.  It  rained  all  day 
We  have  had  great  rains.  All  our  things  were  floating  about 
the  cabin  to  day  a  butterfly  came  on  board  I  tried  to  catch  it 
but  could  not.  it  must  have  flown  from  the  coast  of  Africa  it 
was  a  pleasant  sight  to  me.  had  I  been  on  shore  I  should  not 
have  looked  at  it.  I  cannot  write  the  vessel  shakes  so  much 
How  glad  I  am  that  I  do  not  use  tobacco  how  much  money 
I  can  save  by  not  useing  it  It  is  hard  for  a  young  man  to  be 
steady  for  it  is  considered  a  merit  to  be  disippated  how  much 
a  man  has  to  struggle  against  it.  It  is  well  that  I  have  a  good, 
Mother  with  god's  help  I  will  follow  your  counsel.  I  believe 
she  never  forgets  me  in  her  prayer's,  how  much  trouble  have 
I  given  her  and  how  often  have  I  grieved  her  and  my  sisters 
Poor  Fmily  you  are  not  forgot  how  often  in  my  watch  do  I 
think  of  you.  I  might  have  lighten  thy  sorrows  thy  sorrows 
have  entered  our  poor  Mothers  heart. 

OCT.  28.  It  rained  all  day  we  saw  many  large  black  fins 
how  much  rain  we  have  had  it  [is]  so  hot  that  we  go  and 
stand  on  deck  and  get  wet  rather  than  go  in  our  hot  climate  in 
the  cabin.    How  bad  I  feel  to  day    I  have  never  felt  well  since 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  Mc HENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  3 


I  left  home.  A  farmers  life  is  the  easiest  one  in  the  world  and 
the  best  for  health  it  has  spoilt  me  and  made  me  unfit  for  any 
thing  else.  I  went  to  the  guard  house,  it  was  full,  most  of 
my  own  company  were  in  it  they  had  broke  the  rules.  By 
eaten  below  deck,  it  is  very  hot  in  there  I  cannot  see  how 
they  do  to  breathe  I  felt  for  them.  The  lice  were  crawling 
over  them.  How  glad  I  am  that  Ned  didnot  come  on  this 
expedition 

Another  rainy  day  every  thing  in  our  cabin  floating  how 
glad  shall  I  be  when  I  get  on  shore  once  more  I  was  on  guard 
last  night  and  was  obliged  to  place  our  sergeant  under  arest 
for  sleeping  on  his  post,  he  will  be  tried  by  a  court  martial 
to  day.  I  had  a  talk  with  Colonel  Burten  to  day.  he  seemed 
anxious  that  we  should  get  along  faster,  he  has  been  very  kind 
to  me  and  I  think  favours  me  some  times.  Captain  Negley 
[Nagley]  has  also  been  my  friend.  I  heard  part  of  a  conver- 
sation between  him  and  Uncle  Chase,  before  I  left  New  York. 
He  said,  "Negley  if  any  thing  happens  to  him,  say  he  died  a 
clever  fellow  and  bury  him  with  the  honor's  of  war"  He 
replied  there's  no  danger  of  that,  for  we  shall  not  see  any 
fighting.  Uncle  Chase  said  but  you  may  fall  out  among  your- 
selves. .  .  I  hope  that  neither  will  come  to  pass  and  that  I  shall 
return  safe  to  my  friends. 

The  harmony  of  our  mess  was  broken  for  the  first  time 
to  day.  liquor  was  the  cause  of  it.  What  a  curse  it  is  I  wish 
that  there  was  none.  I  have  been  brought  up  better.  Thanks 
to  a  kind  Mother  I  trust  I  may  be  preserved  from  it.  how 
many  fine  young  men  are  throwing  them  selves  away  by  their 
folly.  I  would  do  anything  to  persuade  Ned  not  to  tamper 
with  it.    I  hope  when  I  see  him  again  that  he  will  be  wiser. 

NOV.  3.  I  am  now  seated  in  front  of  the  cabin  in  the 
door  way  A  swallow  has  lit  on  my  knee,  poor  bird  you  could 
not  find  rest  on  the  Ocean  and  you  have  found  rest  on  me  I 
will  not  harm  you.  may  I  always  find  as  safe  a  place  to  rest 
as  you  have! 

"All's  well."   Ide  give  the  world  if  I  could  echo 

Back  that  sound.   All's  well.    It  may  be  so  with  thee 

Thou  watchful  sentinel, 

But  till  my  mind  from  sorrow  free 

I  dare  not  say.    All's  well ! 

Written  on  guard 


4       JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


Mutiny  is  among  us.  The  men  of  Company  D  were  ordered 
to  bathe,  which  they  refused  to  do.  Captain  Negly  seemed 
determined  to  be  obeyed.  Captain  Shannon  detailed  some  men 
from  Company  I,  to  carry  the  order  in  to  execution,  by  some 
mistake  all  the  men  were  composed  of  new  recruits,  they 
mutinied  also,  and  they  were  sent  to  the  guard  house  with  the 
rest  of  the  mutineers.  The  guard  house  is  full,  when  will  this 
end.  Retired  to  bed  early.  Was  waken  by  a  great  noise.  The 
officer  of  the  guard  told  me  that  he  could  not  manage  the  pris- 
oners. That  they  had  broken  down  the  door  of  the  guard  house, 
were  out  and  tearing  the  house  to  pieces.  I  got  up  directly  and 
advised  the  officer  of  the  day  to  arm  himself,  told  Pendleton  to 
wake  up  the  Captain.  .  Who  treated  it  very  lightly.  The 
guard  on  the  forecastle  assisted  the  mutineers  to  throw  the 
plank  over  board,  they  cheered  long  and  loud.  It  now  began 
to  spread  more  The  rest  of  the  men  who  had  behaved  well 
hitherto  now  joined  in  the  cheering.  We  cannot  do  anything 
until!  we  get  to  Rio.  Things  then  became  quiet  The  prisoners 
went  and  stood  where  the  guard  house  was  The  guard  took 
their  posts  again.  I  now  went  to  bed  and  slept  late.  There  are 
too  many  gentleman  soldiers  with  us  they  are  the  cause  of  all 
our  difficulties.  These  men  must  now  be  tried.  What  will  be 
the  issue  I  cannot  tell.  I  hope  I  will  not  be  on  the  Court  Mar- 
tial, for  I  should  have  to  be  Judge  advocate,  and  do  the  writing. 
I  had  to  put  two  of  the  prisoners  in  irons  this  morning  it  was 
a  very  unpleasant  duty  to  perform  We  passed  a  quiet  night 
Rut  the  mutiny  is  not  quelled  yet  something  more  must  be 
done.    I  fear  a  dreadful  example  must  be  made  of  some  of  them. 

NOV.  4.  What  a  beautiful  night  it  was  last  night.  I  spent 
some  time  in  the  rigging  thinking  of  home.  I  must  dress  for 
guard  mounting.  I  shall  have  charge  of  the  prisoners  I  hope 
we  shall  not  have  any  more  trouble  with  them.  They  appear  to 
be  very  much  cast  down,  nothing  has  occurred  of  any  conse- 
quence The  prisoners  are  to  remain  in  irons  untill  we  get  to 
Rio.  One  of  them  named  Kelly  has  a  wife  and  daughter  who 
are  seated  at  his  feet,  while  his  wife  is  feeding  him.  His  chains 
rattled  in  my  ears  all  night. 

NOV.  6.  How  tired  I  am  of  the  Ship  and  of  the  sea  life. 
We  will  cross  the  line  to  day.  Neptune  cannot  come  on  board 
we  are  too  strong  for  him.  I  sometimes,  think  that  I  ought 
not  to  have  become  a  soldier,  how  much  I  have  got  to  learn.  I 
must  study  hard.    How  much  I  have  neglected.    How  often  I 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  5 


feel  mortified,  but  it  has  been  part  of  my  life  to  conceal  my 
ignorance.  I  will  strive  hard  and  I  mustnot  be  so  down  hearted. 
It  is  all  my  own  fault.  I  have  not  had  any  reports  in  writing 
to  do  yet  it  has  all  fallen  on  the  clerk.  They  think  at  home 
that  I  never  tried.  But  I  never  was  blest  with  intellect  like  any 
other  person.  I  have  always  had  a  very  indolent  mind.  But  I 
shall  improve  I  hope  some  of  these  days.  I  will  not  mortify 
my  family  if  ever  it  is  Gods  will  that  I  see  them  again. 

NOV.  7.  We  are  safe  over  the  Equator,  And  the  weather 
which  has  for  the  past  week  been  very  warm,  is  now  very 
pleasant.  We  are  sailing  very  fast  this  morning,  with  a  delight- 
ful breeze.  Nothing  has  occurred  of  any  consequence.  We  have 
seen  a  great  many  flying  fish,    every  body  is  cross  and  tired 

NOV.  8.  We  have  had  a  nother  difficulty  in  our  cabin  with 
two  of  the  officers.  The  mutiny  is  not  quelled  yet.  We  have 
had  more  trouble :  Cpt  Negley's  servant  behaved  very  badly  he 
was  sent  to  the  masthead  but  would  not  stay  there.  A  rope 
was  tied  around  his  waist.  The  men  refused  to  hall  him  up. 
The  officers  where  obliged  to  do  it  themselves,  first  taking  the 
precaution  to  make  all  the  men  go  below,  he  didnot  stay  long 
in  his  sling  but  climbed  higher,  and  then  came  down  He  will 
be  punished  with  the  rest  of  the  prisoners.  Neptune  didnot 
come  on  board  to  day.  We  were  too  strong  for  him,  and 
intended  to  have  shave'd  him  ourselves.  The  little  drummer 
was  taken  sick  to  day  and  had  a  blister  put  on  his  head.  I 
should  like  to  know  his  history  very  much,  he  is  far  from  his 
home  and  friends,  Yet  he  is  cheerful  We  have  a  disorderly  set 
about  us.  None  of  them  are  fit  for  soldiers.  There  ought  to  be 
an  example  made  of  some  of  them.  The  more  I  see  of  a  sailors 
life  The  more  I  dislike  it.  They  are  a  set  of  tyrants.  Their 
greatest  pleasure  is  to  tell  you  a  lie  of  some  kind,  and  then  say 
they  have  quizzed  you.  I  have  had  very  little  to  say  to  Captain 
Putnam  I  do  not  know  what  to  make  of  him.  You  can  never 
find  out  on  land,  what  a  sailor  is.  What  a  rascal  we  have  for  a 
steward  he  makes  away  with  our  provisions.  And  the  impu- 
dent black  rascal.  The  cook,  Is  in  league  with  him  he  is  the 
biggest  rascal  of  the  two.  he  was  on  board  of  the  Somers 
during  the  mutiny,  and  I  think  they  are  concerned  in  this. 

NOV.  9.  Mutiny  again.  Another  man  was  placed  in  Irons 
to  day,  for  disobeying  orders.  I  had  the  prisoners  in  charge.  I 
was  relieved  at  four  oclock,  at  Seven  they  got  their  irons  off. 
It  was  found  out  by  the  Officer  of  the  guard.    They  had  been 


6 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLHNGSIVORTH 


thrown  over  board.  The  prisoners  had  new  irons  put  on  them 
which  I  do  not  think  they  will  get  off  in  a  hurry.  The  officers 
were  obliged  to  put  them  on.  they  went  about  it  with  the 
determination  of  doing  it,  none  are  to  be  trusted.  This  mutiny 
has  spread  further  than  any  one  thinks.  I  cannot  convince  the 
officers  of  it.  I  am  prepared  for  them.  Nothing  would  be  easier 
than  for  them  to  take  the  vessel,  some  few  might  rally  around 
their  officers.  They  are  now  trying  some  of  them.  I  am  glad 
I  am  not  on  the  Court  Martial.  They  wanted  to  put  me  on  as 
Judge  Advocate  they  do  not  know  how  stupid  I  am,  I  am  not 
competent  to  be  one.  I  do  not  think  there  is  an  Officer  on 
board  that  does  not  wish  himself  at  home  they  will  never 
volunteer  again.  A  vessel  is  no  place  for  soldiers,  it  does  not 
suit  them  it  was  bad  policy  to  send  us  by  sea.  You  cannot 
have  any  discipline.  I  think  if  one  were  shot  it  would  bring 
them  to  their  senses. 

Some  of  the  disagreables  of  sea  life.  You  cannot  take  any 
exercise  The  vessel  rolls  so  much  that  you  never  feel  well. 
The  fleas  are  very  troublesome.  If  you  get  up  early  you  will 
find  the  deck  wet  they  are  always  washing  it  at  that  time. 
There  is  no  comfort  at  sea  There  is  always  a  salt  or  damp 
smell  on  your  cloathes  from  the  spray  you  spoil  all  your  boots. 
I  look  round  from  day  to  day,  and  see  nothing  but  the  blue 
water.  There  is  no  place  like  the  sea  for  reflection.  And  if  a 
man  would  but  keep  the  resolutions  that  he  makes  when  seasick 
he  would  be  a  better  man.  I  have  not  described  sea  sickness 
yet,  But  I  shall  never  forget  that  part  of  my  voyage,  it  is  not 
to  be  forgotten.  I  have  not  received  any  benefit  from  it  yet  as 
regards  my  health.    I  think  I  have  fallen  away. 

NOV.  11.  I  saw  a  large  porpoise  this  morning,  it  was 
before  any  one  was  up.  I  thought  for  sometime  to  day  upon  a 
plan  that  I  have  had  in  my  head,  Of  making  a  settlement  in 
California.  I  have  had  some  conversation  with  some  of  the 
men  about  it  I  think  I  can  find  some  trusty  person  to  join  me. 
We  have  all  planned  what  we  are  going  to  do  when  we  get  to 
Rio.  We  have  a  beautiful  boat  to  go  on  shore,  and  a  picked 
crew,  nothing  has  been  seen  of  the  fleet  since  we  left  New 
York.  The  Preble  has  not  been  any  assistance  to  us.  We 
wanted  her  badly  to  put  our  prisoners  on  board.  I  have  spent 
the  last  few  days  studying.  I  have  studied  hard.  We  had  a  fine 
cake  to  day  for  lunch.  We  all  thought  it  very  nice  If  we  had 
been  on  shore  we  would  not  have  looked  at  it,  but  at  sea  you 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  7 


put  up  with  any  thing.  The  water  that  you  drink  you  would 
not  wash  your  hands  in  on  shore.  I  never  was  as  careless  as 
I  now  am  in  my  dress  I  have  paid  no  attention  to  shaveing 
and  I  do  not  think  I  ever  looked  so  homely  as  I  do  now  when 
I  look  in  the  glass  I  do  not  know  myself  I  hope  I  will  fatten 
up  before  I  get  back 

NOV.  12.  There  has  been  a  great  many  speculations  as  to 
which  vessel  would  get  to  Rio  first  The  mate  said  in  a  laughing 
way,  if  the  Susan  Drew  does  get  in  last,  I  will  walk  forward 
and  spit  right  in  Susans  face.  Susan  is  the  young  lady  that 
stands  at  the  head  of  our  vessel  she  is  as  large  as  life  with 
very  rosy  cheeks,  very  fat  and  a  very  large  bustle  her  dress 
is  white    she  looks  like  a  live  woman  at  a  distance. 

NOV.  15.  We  have  had  a  death  on  board  For  the  first 
time  I  witnessed  a  burial  at  sea.  the  corpse  was  placed  on  a 
plank  and  then  slided  in  the  sea.  it  was  one  splash  and  the 
dark  water  closed  over  him  for  ever,  he  was  buried  with  the 
honours  of  war.  We  all  appeared  in  full  dress,  and  they  fired 
three  rounds  over  him.  I  never  in  my  life  saw  so  little  feeling 
shewn  their  was  not  a  tear  shed.  None  cared  for  him  It  is 
hard  to  die  far  from  home  and  friends. 

NOV.  16.  I  feel  very  well  to  day.  I  was  very  absent 
[minded]  at  the  dinner  table  to  day  and  was  helping  my  self 
to  sauce  over  my  pudding  and  struck  up  a  song,  then  the  toast 
will  be  woman  dear  woman  It  created  quite  a  sensation.  We 
have  now  been  sixty  days  from  New  York  and  have  not  reached 
Rio  yet  Have  not  seen  any  thing  for  some  days  not  even  a 
fish,    every  thing  is  very  dull. 

NOV.  19.  We  are  in  sight  of  the  Brazil  coast  but  were 
obliged  last  night  to  put  to  sea  again  It  blew  very  hard  I 
never  saw  the  sea  look  so  grand  First  a  blaze  of  lightening, 
then  a  peal  of  thunder,  then  all  dark  night  again  It  was  an 
awful  sight.  Thank  God  we  are  all  safe  and  well  this  morning. 
The  commissary  has  got  me  on  a  board  of  inspection  to  examine 
his  spoilt  vegetables 

Proceedings  of  a  board  of  survey  convened  in  pursuance  of  the 
following  order 

Ship  Susan  Drew  October  [Nov.]  19th  1846 
A  board  of  survey  to  consist  of  first  Lieut  Gilbert  2nd  Lieuts.  Day  and 


8 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


Hollingsworth  will  assemble  to  day.  at  4  P  M  for  the  purpose  of 
examining  stores  reported  by  Cpt  Marcy  A.  C.  S 

By  order  of 

Lieut  Col  Burton 

Signed,  J  C  Bonnycastle  First  Lt  Adjt 

Report.  The  board  convened  pursuant  to  the  above  order.  Present 
all  the  members  and  examined  the  following  stores  viz  two  and  half 
barrels  of  potatoes  and  two  barrels  of  Onions  and  found  2l/2  barrels  of 
potatoes  and  %  barrels  of  Onions  spoiled  and  unfit  for  use 

Secy  J  McHenry  Hollingsworth 

Second  Lieut  7th  Regt  N  Y  V 

I  am  so  tired  of  the  sea,  that  I  often  go  to  the  pigpen  and 
look  at  the  pigs  eating  and  wish  myself  at  home  feeding  some 
of  ours  We  have  just  passed  a  sail  and  exchanged  signals  with 
her  she  was  English  at  least  she  hoisted  those  colours.  Four 
sails  in  sight.  I  went  to  the  masthead,  but  could  not  make  any- 
thing of  them.  We  had  quite  an  alarm  at  bedtime  last  night, 
the  steward  who  had  been  very  troublesome  for  sometime  and 
scalded  one  of  our  men.  The  men  determined  to  punish  him 
for  it.  After  dark  as  he  was  passing  the  forecastle,  they  threw 
a  rope  over  his  head  and  gave  him  some  cuffs  and  kicks,  he 
bellowed  like  a  fine  fellow,  cried  murder.  We  all  ran  to  his 
assistance  but  no  one  was  near  him  I  wish  they  had  hammered 
him  well,  he  didnot  get  half  enough  Our  Steward  has 
improved  very  much  since  his  fright. 

Land,  land,  land.  It  is  a  sight  pleasant  to  our  eyes  and 
puts  us  all  in  good  humour  We  have  just  passed  a  vessel  but 
did  not  speak  to  her.  T  never  thought  that  I  should  go  to 
South  America    The  land  we  see  is  the  coast  of  Brazil.  In 

sight  of  Cape    and  going  at  a  fine  rate    The  coast 

appears  to  be  very  rocky  a  bad  coast  in  a  storm  or  a  dark  night. 

NOV.  21.  Inside  the  cape.  How  beautiful  every  thing 
looks.  The  tops  of  the  mountains  covered  with  green.  I  was 
on  guard  last  nisrht  and  feel  badly  this  morning.  Had  some 
trouble  with  James.  He  was  suspected  of  breaking  open  a 
trunk.  He  was  searched  but  nothing  found  on  him,  or  in  his 
trunk.  He  did  not  seem  to  feel  the  disgrace.  I  cannot  get  it 
out  of  my  mind  that  he  is  not  honest.  Several  sails  in  sight 
this  morning  We  think  we  are  ahead  of  the  rest  of  the  fleet, 
so  last  night  sent  up  a  rocket  and  gave  three  cheers  for  the 
Susan  Drew 

[We  arrived  in  the  port  of  Rio  Janario  Nov  the  25th] 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  9 


NOV.  25.  The  Loo  Choo  got  to  Rio  Janeiro  four  days 
before  the  other  vessels. 

"Why  melancholy  Soldiers  why,  why  melancholy  boys 
whose  business  tis  to  die." 

We  are  in  the  port  of  Rio  Janeiro  and  all  in  good  spirits, 
and  anxious  to  go  ashore.  I  have  been  ashore  and  was  very 
much  pleased  with  my  visit.  I  have  a  very  poor  opinion  of  the 
inhabitants  of  this  place.  I  had  some  trouble  with  the  men, 
they  are  so  anxious  to  go  on  shore,  and  have  been  behaving 
very  badly,  some  of  them  were  drunk  all  the  time.  I  had  to 
tie  some  of  them  to  bring  them  off.  they  have  imprisoned  some 
of  them,  and  will  not  give  them  up.  they  do  not  like  our  land- 
ing our  men  here.  We  could  soon  knock  three  forts  to  pieces. 
I  have  been  to  the  English  church  here.  The  people  are  not 
more  than  half  civilized.  Their  is  not  much  beauty  among  the 
ladies.  I  do  not  think  that  I  will  lose  my  heart  with  any  of 
them. 

NOV.  28.  The  harbor  of  this  place  is  very  beautiful  But 
the  cruelty  that  is  practiced  towards  the  slaves  is  enough  to 
disgust  any  man  that  has  any  good  feeling,  they  make  them 
work  hard  and  beat  them  very  severely,  some  of  them  have 
not  been  from  the  coast  of  Africa  more  than  a  month,  the  day 
that  the  California  volunteers  came  to  this  place  was  a  happy 
day  to  some  of  them,  our  drunken  soldiers  gave  to  them  very 
liberal,  some  of  them  threw  money  to  them  by  handfuls  and 
then  again  they  make  them  row  them  to  the  vessel,  and  when 
they  get  on  board  laugh  at  them  for  pay.  The  poor  black  when 
they  go  back  are  beaten  by  their  master  for  not  bringing  the 
right  money.  Their  language  is  very  difficult  to  understand, 
they  always  keep  up  a  great  chattering,  wear  few  clothes  and 
seldom  a  hat.  They  are  good  boatman.  One  of  the  volunteers 
jumped  over  board  and  was  drowned  while  at  this  place.  Some 
of  the  men  stole  a  very  valuable  dog  from  the  Hotel  farrow 
[Pharoux].  we  didnot  find  it  out  for  sometime  after  we  sailed. 
They  played  a  great  many  pranks  on  the  Brazilians,  who  in 
turn  cheated  them  out  of  their  money.  We  were  thought  the 
most  impudent  race  of  people  that  ever  was.  I  have  seen  the 
Emperor,  he  dresses  in  the  most  extravagant  manner  and  is 
very  young  and  very  rich,  his  carriage  is  drawn  by  eight  mules, 
his  guards  are  very  poor,  but  wear  the  most  costly  uniform  I 
ever  saw  it  is  all  lace,  and  does  not  look  very  military.  I  had 
to  search  my  servant  and  examine  his  trunk,    he  was  suspected 


10      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


of  stealing  money  he  proved  to  be  innocent,  and  cried  very 
much  during  the  examination,  he  has  not  many  friends  in  the 
regiment. 

I  have  not  written  in  my  journal  for  sometime  I  have  had 
so  much  to  amuse  me  while  at  Rio.  since  I  left  their,  so  much 
has  taken  place.  The  men  have  been  very  unruly,  it  has  fallen 
to  my  lot  to  be  on  guard  very  often  lately. 

While  I  was  at  Rio  Dr  Murray  and  myself  went  to  church 
We  wore  our  uniforms.  I  also  went  to  the  Opera,  was  very 
much  pleased  there  was  a  great  many  officers  there.  I  amused 
my  self  by  making  love  to  a  young  lady,  who  was  in  a  side  box. 
I  caught  her  eye  several  times  and  we  kept  up  a  little  flirtation 
all  the  evening.  I  got  an  Opera  glass  and  looked  at  her  stand- 
ing in  my  seat,  she  smiled  and  moved  her  seat,  but  took  it 
again,  she  wore  a  white  bonnet  with  artificial  flowers  in  it. 
I  had  several  very  amusing  adventures  while  at  this  place.  I 
was  passing  along  the  street  one  day  when  a  Sargent  Major  of 
the  regiment  spoke  to  me.  I  had  not  seen  him  since  I  left 
New  York.  I  asked  him  to  shew  me  where  I  could  purchase 
some  thing.  He  took  me  to  an  apothecaries  and  introduced  me 
to  a  young  man  from  New  York  who  was  very  polite  and  asked 
me  to  walk  up  stairs.  I  thought  he  was  going  to  shew  me 
something  and  accordingly  followed  him  up  a  flight  of  steps, 
he  opened  a  door  and  we  walked  in  to  a  nice  parlour,  three 
ladys  were  sitting  there  they  were  Americans  from  New  York, 
and  were  old  friends  of  the  Sargent  but  didnot  recognize  him  in 
his  uniform,  they  seemed  much  surprised  to  see  two  Soldiers 
walk  in.  I  was  in  full  dress  and  could  not  imagine  for  some 
time  where  I  had  got  to.  We  paid  a  short  visit  and  then  left. 
I  walked  about  made  some  purchases,  among  which  was  a  beau- 
tiful bridle  bit  and  spurs.  The  last  evening  that  I  was  at  Rio, 
it  blew  a  violent  storm,  we  had  a  very  narrow  escape,  we  got 
to  the  town  a  few  minutes  before  the  storm  came  up,  several 
boats  were  lost  and  some  lives.  I  was  at  the  Hotel  and  didnot 
leave  for  the  ship  untill  after  it  was  over.  I  lived  on  fruit  while 
at  this  place,  the  Oranges,  Bennanas  and  Pine  Apples  were 
very  fine.  A  great  many  black  soldiers  are  employed  in  the 
army.  Mules  are  used  entirely  to  ride  on.  There  are  no  good 
horses.  The  streets  are  very  narrow  and  dirty.  The  people  are 
not  more  than  half  civilized  are  very  lazy  and  have  a  great 
many  servants  to  wait  on  them.    The  Brazilians  never  give  you 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  11 


the  right  change  for  your  money,  and  cheat  you  on  every 
possible  occasion 

VIEW  OF  SUGAR  LOAF  MOUNTAIN  AND  VICINITY* 

The  above  view  is  one,  which  sterile  and  unprepossessing  in  itself, 
still  fills  the  weary  heart  of  one  just  coming  in  from  a  long  voyage 
with  joy;  barren  and  unpromising  as  it  is,  it  is  nevertheless,  land,  and 
that  one  word  conveys  more  to  the  mind  of  a  victim  to  sea  sickness 
than  many  others  of  more  euphonious  sound,  even  the  names  of  a 
beloved  Laura  or  Gertrude,  sweet  as  they  are  in  the  abstract,  and  even 
sweeter  when  associated  with  delightful  reminiscencies  of  Summer  eve 
hours,  passed  delightfully  by  their  sides,  are  in  danger  of  being  out- 
rivalled;  no  one  knows  better  than  myself  the  thrill  of  delight  with 
which  the  lovers  heart  is  seized  upon  hearing  the  name  of  his  "adored," 
but  even  I,  romantic  as  I  am,  must  confess  that  upon  first  catching 
sight  of  the  towering  "Sugarloaf" — the  remembrance  of  my  beautiful 
Gertrude  faded  at  once  from  my  mind  and  its  place  was  at  once 
violently  supplanted  by  delightful  visions  of  Spanish  lasses,  with  their 
dark  eyes,  sparkling  from  beneath  the  long  veil,  as  tripping  along  the 
splendid  "Plazas"  of  Rio,  they  caught  sight  of  one,  whose  very  appear- 
ance betokened  the  chivalry  of  the  renowned  Don  Quixote;  and  then 
my  "chateaux  d'Espagnc"  would  assume  a  different  shape,  and  before 
me  would  lie  in  wasteful  profusion,  heaps  of  Lemons,  figs  bananas  & 
oranges  whose  rounded  forms  and  juicy  substance  brought  again  to 
my  mind,  the  long  cherished  thoughts  of  "our  cellar"  and  its  contents — 

VIEW  OF  FORT  NEAR  RIO 

The  above  represents  a  fort  which  lay  on  our  right  as  we  entered 
the  harbour  of  Rio.  It  is  chiefly  remarkable  as  being  near  and  pro- 
tecting a  convent,  in  which  "the  fair  Imogene"  retired  after  having 
been  torn  from  her  bridal  hall,  by  the  ruthless  hands  of  Alphonso 
"the  brave" — or  rather  by  those  of  his  departed  shade  Shocked  by  the 
sudden  and  unwelcome  return  of  her  first  beloved,  she  never  entirely 
recovered  &  spent  the  remainder  of  a  short  life  in  this  wild  &  secluded 
spot,  surrounded  by  high  and  rugged  mountains,  whose  bases  were 
laved  by  the  ever  flowing  waves  of  the  wide  Atlantic — 

VIEW  OF  LARGE  HOUSE  NEAR  RIO  FROM  THE  HARBOR 

On  the  side  of  the  harbour,  opposite  to  Rio  is  to  be  seen  a  large 
house,  almost  surrounded  by  cocoa  nut  and  banana  trees,  which 
although  of  itself  romantic  in  appearance,  would  scarcely  attract  the 
attention  of  a  stranger.  But  alas!  could  its  old  walls  speak  of  the 
sorrow  they  have  seen,  of  the  repentant  tears  shed  within  them,  even 
the  cold  heart  of  the  world  could  not  but  warm  with  sympathy,  for 
the  affliction  of  the  beautiful  but  erring  Eliza.  G.  .  .  whose  only  fault 


*The  pencil  and  watercolor  drawings  in  the  diary  have  not  been 
reproduced  except  the  one  of  an  officer  in  uniform  which  appears  as  a 
frontispiece. 


12      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


is  the  having  yielded  to  the  baneful  influence  of  a  tropical  sun,  and  the 
charms  of  a  gay  and  unprincipalled  Admiral — 

VIEW  OF  LOWER  PART  OF  THE   CITY   OF  RIO   DE  JANEIRO  AND 
VIEW  OF  PORTION  OF  RIO 

That  part  of  Rio,  of  which  the  above  is  a  poor  representation,  lies 
on  the  right  of  the  emperor's  palace,  and  just  in  rear  of  the  landing 
for  boats  from  the  vessels  lying  in  the  harbour.  Its  appearance  is 
really  picturesque,  the  tiled  roofs,  many  of  which  are  of  variegated 
colours,  the  situations  of  the  houses,  some  just  at  the  foot  of  a  steep 
hill,  buried  in  groves  of  orange  trees,  others  on  the  very  summit  of 
said  acclivity,  round  which  is  constructed  a  winding  road,  up  which 
by  the  way  I  remember  having  climbed  one  Sunday  afternoon,  just 
for  the  purpose  of  seeing  what  the  object  was  of  a  red,  round  topped 
house,  which  proved  upon  examination  an  observatory,  with  a  moveable 
roof,  such  as  is  seen  at  the  M.  A.  at  West  Point  although  of  much 
smaller  dimensions — There  were  quite  a  number  of  houses  around  it, 
all  nearly  hidden  by  the  masses  of  trees,  among  which  the  leafy 
orange  was  easily  distinguished,  had  not  the  clusters  of  golden  fruit 
called  our  untropical  eyes  at  once  to  their  notice. 

SKETCH    OF    BRAZILIAN  MAN  OF  WAR 

Here  too  is  a  small  barrack  for  the  cavalry  of  the  Emperor,  into 
which  I  endeavoured  to  procure  a  passage,  but  the  sentinel  on  post  by 
signs,  gave  me  to  understand  that  such  was  not  allowable — Going 
thence,  I  passed  a  large  house  with  grated  windows,  before  the  door 
of  which  paced  a  soldier,  and  stopping  to  enquire  our  way  from  him, 
we  saw  two  beautiful  faces  peer  from  an  upper  window  down  on  us, 
and  upon  our  bowing,  they  with  sparkling  eyes,  kissed  their  hands  and 
hastily  retired  but  not  until  the  sentinel  had  seen  them,  he  then  made 
violent  gesticulations  towards  us,  intimating  that  we  had  best  "quit 
those  diggins  and  not  meddle  with  private  potatoes" — 

SKETCH  OF  ISLAND  NEAR  RIO 

but  my  companion  and  myself,  being  both  young  and  devoted  to  the 
fair  sex,  came  to  the  conclusion  that  there  was  something  wrong  about 
the  matter,  and  that  so  long  as  a  petticoat  (red  though  it  was)  was 
involved  in  the  question  we  like  good  knights  &  true  were  bound  by 
our  oath  of  allegiance  to  enquire  into  the  facts  of  the  case, 

VIEW  OF  BRAZILIAN  FELUCCA 

and  for  the  purpose  of  discussing  its  "pros  and  cons"  at  more  leisure 
took  seats  upon  a  battlement  near  us,  from  which  the  sentinel  signalled 
us  to  rise,  and  upon  consultation  we  deemed  it  best  to  obey,  and 
were  just  in  the  act  of  doing  so  when  by  chance  I  saw  the  rascal 
laugh  as  he  turned  from  us;  understanding  then  that  he  was  quizzing 
us,  we  gave  him  a  slight  volley  of  round — not  shot — but  oaths,  and 
resumed  our  positions,  from  which  the  enemy  threatened  to  dislodge 
us  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  but  to  no  purpose,  we  laughed  at  his 
threats  and  he  finally  ceased  them,  our  consultations  were  then  resumed 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  13 


and  just  as  the  council  had  almost  determined  to  carry  the  house  by 
storm  the  one  attacking  the  front  door  by  strategy  first  and  then  with 
a  rush,  the  other  meanwhile  seizing  the  opportunity  of  springing  into  a 
basement  window  which  was  open — this  Quixotic  resolution  was  crushed 
by  the  sudden  shifting  of  the  scene,  in  the  first,  the  two  had  appeared 
beautiful  and  loving  as  encaged  turtle  doves,  in  the  last,  with  a  versa- 
tility of  talent  not  at  all  unfrequent  with  the  fair  sex,  they  rushed  on  the 
stage,  not  hand  in  hand,  but  mouth  to  ear  and  nail  to  eye,  presenting 
as  pretty  a  representation  of  termagantic  strife  as  one,  could  wish  to 
see;  After  gazing  a  while  in  astonishment  struck-silence,  during  which 
time  the  noise  had  attracted  the  notice  of  the  guard,  we  left  the  prison 
(for  so  it  was)  each  pondering  in  his  mind  the  probable  cause  of  the 
confinement  of  the  belligerent  fair  ones — 

THIRTEEN  SKETCHES  OF  SCENES  ABOUT  RIO  DE  JANEIRO 

DEC.  12,  lattitude  37.  .  .  14 

DEC.  14.  Nothing  has  occurred  on  board  untill  last  night 
when  a  case  of  small  pox  was  reported  in  the  fore  castle.  It 
has  caused  much  talk  on  board — I  hope  for  the  best  and  that  it 
will  not  go  any  further  The  men  say  they  are  sorry  they  threw 
the  the  plank  intended  for  the  guard  house  overboard  as  they 
will  have  nothing  now  to  make  coffins  of — The  sea  is  calm  with 
a  pleasant  breeze — we  are  all  making  preperations  for  the  cold 
we  shall  experience  in  going  round  the  horn — 

On  guard  tonight,  very  cold  and  dark  on  deck  our  quarters 
are  warm  rather  too  much  so  they  make  them  very  unwhole- 
some too  by  smoking  in  them — Had  a  fight  between  MacBurney 
— and  the  Steward — he  is  a  great  coward  and  lets  the  steward 
strike  him — he  is  a  bad  boy  and  I  am  afraid  and  is  devoid  of 
principle  We  have  detailed  some  men  from  the  volunteers  to 
help  work  the  Ship  as  we  are  approaching  the  horn  very  fast — 
Had  a  pig  for  dinner  today  It  was  very  nice  and  hope  we  will 
have  another  soon — 

DEC.  17.  Latitude  44  deg.  46  min  Weather  very  cold  and 
stormy,  all  have  colds — spend  half  of  our  time  in  bed — but  4 
officiers  well  enough  for  duty  this  makes  the  duty  of  keeping 
guard  come  oftener  and  these  cold  nights  not  so  pleasant — 
Nothing  has  occurred  besides  of  any  consequence  we  are  very 
tired  however  of  the  blue  waters  Sun  was  not  down  at  8 
oclock  last  night — Some  of  the  officiers  have  had  severe  falls 
and  been  much  hurt — It  is  owing  to  the  decks  being  so  wet — I 
have  escaped  as  yet — 

DEC.  18.  Had  a  masquerade  among  the  men — it  was  very 
amusing  and  excited  much  laughter — 


14      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


DEC.  19.  Fine  breeze  fair  weather  and  warm  strong  cur- 
rent running  north  carrying  sea  weed  with  it  Times  very  dull 
— officers  and  men  amusing  themselves  by  firing  at  the  albatros 
have  killed  several 

DEC.  25.  Christmas — off  the  Cape  We  had  a  masked 
party  on  board  who  made  a  handsome  turn  out — The  Col  was 
invited  to  see  them  which  he  did  and  in  return  asked  them  into 
the  cabin  and  set  out  his  wine  of  which  they  partook  freely — 
The  leader  of  the  party  proposed  a  toast  which  I  will  give 
another  time — This  is  the  only  real  fun  we  have  had  and  we 
treated  the  company  of  masqueraders  to  buckets  of  punch — 
which  pleased  them  very  much  and  some  got  gloriously  drunk 
— The  officiers  kept  the  frolick  up  untill  very  late — who  said 
they  were  not  all  sober — We  had  had  a  poor  dinner  but  plenty 
of  hot  punch — The  weather  is  very  cold  and  has  been  so  for 
the  last  ten  days  with  a  sea  running  mountains  high  and  rain, 
making  us  all  keep  our  beds  we  have  done  nothing  else  but  eat 
and  sleep  for  some  time — in  fact  cannot  keep  ourselves  warm 
unless  we  go  to  bed — Saw  a  sail  spoke  her.  She  was  an  Eng- 
lish vessel  from  New  South  Wales  to  England. 

DEC.  [27.]  Sunday  morning  and  raining — we  are  a  little 
west  of  the  Cape — twenty  four  hours  and  good  wind  will  take 
us  into  the  calm  waters  of  the  Pacific.  Going  at  a  fine  rate, 
course  North  West — reported  this  morning  that  the  man  at  the 
wheel  saw  a  dead  body  float  by  at  three  oclock — Nothing  going 
on  in  our  cabin  but  smoking,  chewing,  spitting  and  playing 
cards — 

JAN.  5,  1847.  Lat.  56.14  Long  79.47— head  wind  Great 
disatisfaction  at  the  Captains  going  so  far  to  the  South  West — 
for  ten  days  we  did  not  make  a  single  degree  of  latitude — 

JAN.  7.  Lat  56.32  Long  80  Another  death  has  occurred 
on  board  poor  Palmer  is  gone — we  shall  bury  him  tomorrow 
in  the  ocean — 

JAN.  8.  The  toast  drank  on  Christmas  day  by  one  of  the 
soldiers  in  the  Cabin  of  the  Susan  Drew  was  this — 

The  Susan  Drew — Our  Bonnycastle  may  her  declining  years  be 
passed  on  the  bosom  of  a  river  beautiful  as  the  Shannon  with  water 
of  the  strength  and  sweetness  of  pure  Hollingsworth  may  one  con- 
tinual Day  beam  over  it  and  the  wings  of  Marcy  overshadow  it — and 
if  ever  sadness  shall  settle  upon  her— may  it  be  like  the  melancholy  of 
Burton — sweet  pleasing  and  soul  consoling — 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  15 


The  individuals  alluded  to  in  the  above  toast  are  Lieut 
Bonnycastle — Captn  Shannon,  myself  Captn  Marcy  and  Lieut 
Day — and  the  last  Col  Burton 

Buried  Palmer — fine  day,  cold  but  bright  sun  shine — going 
finely  on  our  course — wore  my  undress  coat — with  my  sash — no 
side  arms  at  funeral — 

Caught  a  large  porpoise  with  the  Harpoon  men  cut  him 
up  and  had  him  cooked  for  breakfast — It  tasted  like  beef  steak 
— when  cooked  it  is  blacked — I  did  not  like  it  but  others  did — 
The  mates  have  had  very  little  to  say  to  me  of  late.  I  think 
they  have  heard  some  remarks  we  have  made  about  the  sailing 
of  the  vessel — Had  to  throw  some  of  our  tongues  over  board 
they  were  so  spoilt — a  dead  loss  to  our  Mess — 

JAN.  10.  Sunday  Morning — Another  Sabbath  has  come 
round  and  we  are  still  on  the  blue  waters — the  first  news  of  this 
morning  is  that  five  sail  were  in  sight — it  is  joyful  news  to  us — 
one  bore  down  to  us — we  spoke  her  and  she  proved  to  be  an 
American  whaler — We  sent  her  some  papers — they  were  much 
surprized  to  hear  of  Genl  Taylors  victory  and  were  a  greazy 
set  of  fellows  having  been  very  successful  in  catching  whales — 
went  on  deck  and  was  waving  my  cap  at  an  albatross  and  the 
cover  flew  off  in  the  water — very  sorry  for  it  as  I  had  it  made 
in  Washington  and  had  it  so  long 

JAN.  12,  Lat  45..S8   long  77..Z7 

JAN.  13.  Caught  a  porpoise,  had  it  for  dinner  but  did  not 
like  it.  the  harpoon  was  thrown  into  another  but  did  not  hold 
— he  lashed  the  sea  with  his  tail  spouting  blood  from  his  mouth 
colouring  the  water  for  some  distance  around  untill  we  lost 
sight  of  him — Resumed  the  guard  duty  last  night  for  the  first 
time  since  we  passed  the  Horn — had  to  sit  up  all  night  in  conse- 
quence of  a  row  below,  put  four  of  the  men  in  irons  and  tied 
them  to  the  railing  where  they  passed  the  night — 

[Arrived  at  Valparazo  the  20th  of  Janry  1847  and  heard  the 
first  news  of  our  victories  in  Mexico] 

TWO  VIEWS  OP  VALPARAISO 

Twas  just  as  the  sun  was  disappearing  behind  the  snow-capped 
summits  of  the  lofty  Andes,  that  the  much  respected  Surgeon, 
unofficially  attached  to  the  Susan's  Detachment,  his  fellow-statesman 
and  myself,  descended  the  side  of  our  ship,  for  the  purpose  of  taking 
a  ride  over  the  hills  near  the  town  of  Valparaiso — after  a  short  row, 


16      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


we  landed  at  the  wharf  and  as  the  dusk  of  evening  was  rapidly- 
advancing,  proceeded  at  once  to  the  "Tivoli"  stables  for  the  purpose 
of  procuring  horses,  after  some  little  time  spent  in  selection,  we 
mounted  our  steeds  and  proceeded,  with  the  fear  of  "Vigilantes" 
strongly  impressed  on  our  minds,  at  a  slow  pace  through  the  nearest 
streets  to  clear  ourselves  of  the  town,  in  doing  which  however  suffi- 
cient time  elapsed  to  have  the  attention  of  the  passers-by,  drawn  to 
the  bean  pole  figure  of  our  Maryland  sub  [Hollingsworth],  and  the  air 
of  timidity,  half  screened  from  detection  by  his  martial  whiskers,  of 
our  goateed  staff — the  first  of  the  two  busily  engaging  himself  with 
kicking  the  stones  from  before  his  charger's  feet,  the  latter,  and  to 
the  shame  of  the  medical  staff  of  the  Army  do  I  acknowledge  it,  fully 
as  much  occupied  in  testing  the  tenacity  of  hold,  afforded  in  the  close- 
cropped  mane  of  his  Rozinante,  (this  is  no  idle  figure,  for  if  eyes  are 
eyes  then  so  surely  was  the  beast  the  hapless  Galen  bestrode,  the 
veritable  far-famed  Rozinante)  but  what  purpose  does  it  answer  for 
me  to  attempt  describe  the  appearance  of  the  equestrians?  words  have 
not  power  to  convey  to  the  imagination  the  "air  forlorn"  of  Mary- 
land's Quixote,  as  at  each  jolt  of  the  little  animal  he  bestrode,  he  found 
himself  hoisted  full  six  inches  from  the  saddle — and  the  attempted  air 
of  recklessness  of  the  Lancet-hero,  who  by  strange  fortune  much 
resembled  Sancho  bestradling  his  master's  charger — which  snorted  and 
puffed  as  though  eager  for  another  onslaught  amongst  the  timorous 
sheep.  But  after  a  time  we  cleared  the  town,  having  been  hailed  by 
only  one  vigilante,  who  ordered  us  to  proceed  more  slowly,  as  we  were 
just  breaking  into  a  hand-gallop.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  we 
obeyed  but  upon  reaching  by  a  steep  and  circuitous  way  the  top  of 
the  hill  surmounted  by  the  lighthouse  a  plain  being  presented,  our 
horses  were  urged  into  something  like  speed,  and  after  a  short  time 
we  rested  ourselves  and  panting  Bucephuli  close  by  the  Lighthouse — 
then  back  again  Quixote  and  I  raced  like  mad,  but  the  superior  swift- 
ness of  my  steed  gained  me  the  victory  "without  a  blow  being  struck," 
while  on  the  contrary  the  Don  came  up  with  both  heels  hammering 
into  the  sides  of  his  poor  beast,  which  despite  the  advantage  of  having 
had  its  rider  run  half  the  distance  himself,  was  forced  into  the  humble 
post  of  No.  2;  but  lo!  Surely  we  are  not  again  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
Hudson  with  its  high-pressure  steamers!  Ah!  no — but  look — was  there 
ever  aught  so  ludicrous  before,  tis  the  mender  of  broken  limbs  reck- 
lessly jeopardizing  his  own — with  feet  thrust  to  the  instep,  in  the 
stirrup,  arms  flying  in  every  direction  he  madly  urges  by  dint  of  kicks 
&  blows  with  the  extremity  of  his  bridle,  his  soaring  Rozinante  to 
his  greatest  speed,  which  alas  was  only  sufficient  to  bring  him  up 
some  hundred  paces  in  rear — with  this  however  the  rider  seemed  amply 
satisfied,  showing  by  an  ample  display  of  ivory,  that  in  his  opinion 
e'en  though  the  race  had  this  time  been  to  the  swift,  still  inasmuch 
as  he  had  ventured  his  neck  in  bringing  his  broken-winded  steed  to 
his  maximum  speed  more  praise,  he  felt,  was  due  him  than  to  the 
fortunate  possessor  of  the  nimbler  horse — 

1st  Lt  and  Adjt. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLUNGSWORTH  17 


The  foregoing  libellous  article  calls  for  a  reply  to  those  who 
know  the  high  reputation  of  Marylanders  both  in  the  Army  and 
elsewhere  for  horsemanship,  it  would  not  be  necessary  to  say 
anything  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  our  State  on  that  score,  but 
as  this  production  may  be  spread  far  and  wide,  and  be  seen  by 
individuals  who  have  not  heard  of  the  Ridgely's,  Hammonds, 
and  other  crack  riders  in  the  Army  from  Old  beauty  State — I 
shall  here  tell  them,  that  this  article  was  prompted  by  jealousy, 
and  pique  on  the  part  of  the  writer  Lt.  B.  our  fussy  little 
Adjutant,  having  been  brought  up  in  a  little  country  village, 
and  after  that  having  undergone  a  course  of  lessons  in  riding 
at  West  Point,  favoured  himself  the  handsomest,  rider  in  the 
universe  and  as  to  any  one  on  board  ship  coming  up  to  him,  he 
hooted  at  the  idea.  He  had  taken  a  ride  soon  after  arriving  at 
Valparaiso,  and  had  talked  a  great  deal  about  his  feats  on  that 
occasion,  although  we  afterwards  learned  from  Capt  "F"  that 
he  had  been  beaten  on  two  occasions  in  a  race  by  a  little  boy 
of  6  years  old,  and  afterwards  fined  in  the  streets  for  awkward 
horsemanship.  On  the  afternoon  he  speaks  of  after  choosing  our 
horses  at  a  stable  which  he  had  before  patronised  and  of  course 
knew  the  best  animals  and  made  his  selection  accordingly — we 
set  off  on  a  trip  over  the  hills,  alas  how  his  bombastic  boasting 
was  disproved,  either  from  his  rotundity,  the  shortness  of  his 
legs,  or  from  fear  I  cannot  tell,  but  he  certainly  made  the  worst 
figure  on  a  horse  I  ever  saw,  after  in  vain  endeavouring  to  bal- 
ance himself  &  grasping  convulsively  at  the  cut  off  mane  of  the 
horse,  and  finding  that  his  main  chance  of  holding  on  was  cut 
off,  he  seized  the  back  part  of  the  saddle  and  went  up  the  street 
amidst  the  shouts  &  jeers  of  the  Chilian  boys  &  women  &  their 
loud  cries  of  "oh  que  hombrecillo"  his  horse  was  a  little  more 
skittish  than  mine  and  after  seeing  him  suffer  for  some  time  and 
pleasing  myself  by  his  chagrin  I  exchanged  horses  with  him  and 
he  was  more  comfortable.  I  shall  not  say  anything  of  my  own 
riding  save  that  I  certainly  did  not  take  hold  of  the  mane  for 
indeed  had  I  wished  to  have  done  so,  its  being  cut  off  would 
have  prevented  me  as  it  did  the  Adjutant.  Of  my  friend  and 
fellow  statesman  Lt  H.  I  am  at  liberty  to  speak  and  I  must  say 
that  my  breast  was  filled  with  admiration  and  swelled  with  pride 
when  I  saw  the  easy  grace  and  lofty  dignity  which  he  displayed 
on  horseback — his  commanding  height  added  much  to  the  effect, 
and  as  he  passed  up  the  street  I  could  see  that  my  feelings  of 
admiration  were  participated  in  by  the  gazing  crowd.  His 
relation  Lt  Ridgly  has  heretofore  been  considered  the  best  rider 
in  the  service  the  only  competition  he  has  is  Charly  May,  and 
his  superior  size  has  given  him  the  reputation  of  being  the  finest 
looking  man  on  horseback  his  ridine  does  not  however  com- 
pare with  Ridgely's.  My  friend  H  however  uniting  Mays  height 
with  Ridgelys  riding,  will  I  have  no  doubt  if  his  regiment  is 
retained  in  service  (and  it  will  T  trust,)  eclipse  them  both  and 
be  thought  the  rider  of  the  Army. 


18      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


SKETCH  OF  THE  HOTEL  PHAROUX 

This  Sketch  is  a  good  representation  of  the  Hotel  Pharoux  at  Rio 
Jeneiro  Brazils — at  which  Quarters  we  passed  some  very  agreeable 
moments  during  our  sojourn  at  that  place. 

JAN.  23.  Left  Valparaiso  after  five  long  days  stay — we  got 
there  in  fine  health  and  spirits — but  the  news  we  heard  there 
of  the  death  of  Lieut  Fremils  on  the  passage  round  cape  Horn, 
who  belonged  to  our  Regt  and  the  loss  of  so  many  of  our  gal- 
lant soldiers  in  Mexico  somewhat  depressed  them — I  will  how- 
ever write  more  particularly  on  the  subject  on  another  leaf. 

I  will  now  mention  some  of  the  occurences  which  took 
place  while  in  harbour — One  great  difficulty  was  to  keep  the 
men  on  board  the  vessel  from  going  ashore  and  while  on  duty 
myself  by  great  exertions  did  not  loose  a  man,  for  which  the 
Lieut  Coin,  publickly  thanked  and  complimented  me  but  others 
were  not  so  successful.  The  men  were  very  much  enraged  at 
not  being  permitted  to  go  ashore  and  as  all  the  rascals  escaped 
at  last — we  permitted  the  rest  to  go  also  but  they  all  came 
back  drunk — We  had  great  trouble  with  the  men  while  in  port 
fifty  drunk  at  a  time — I  was  ofificier  of  the  guard  three  times 
while  there — A  number  of  Americans  reside  at  Valparaiso  with 
some  beautiful  american  girls — The  fruit  is  good  but  not  as  nice 
as  that  at  home — The  harbour  is  filled  with  fish  of  which  we 
caught  large  quantities  and  salted  them  away — It  looks  like  a 
suitable  place  for  earthquakes  and  the  bare  mountains  around 
the  Town — appear  always  ready  to  belch  forth  fire  and  smoke 
We  could  see  the  Andes  in  the  distance  with  their  tops  covered 
with  snow — One  great  objection  to  foreign  ports  with  Ameri- 
cans is  that  the  inhabitants  look  upon  the  Yankees  as  they  term 
us  as  the  last  people  upon  earth.  Went  on  shore  and  walked 
about  but  if  we  had  remained  untill  Sunday  and  gone  to  Church 
«hould  have  had  a  better  opportunity  to  see  the  people — they 
have  more  fleas  and  dogs  there  than  I  have  as  yet  seen  in  any 
place  I  saw  there  the  English  Marines  for  the  first  time — they 
were  polite  and  touched  their  hats  to  us — The  french  had  their 
transports  here  loaded  with  troops  for  some  of  their  posessions 
in  the  Pacific — so  that  I  have  seen  some  things  here  I  never 
saw  before — 

I  must  now  try  to  note  down  some  of  the  occurrences  here. 
We  were  much  surprised  one  morning  by  John  the  Col's  servant 
escorting  quite  a  fine  looking  woman  into  the  cabin,  informing 
us  at  the  same  time  that  he  wished  we  would  let  her  remain  on 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  19 


board,  for  she  said  she  wanted  to  go  to  California  and  he  would 
marry  her  when  we  got  there.  She  looked  rather  old,  seemed  to 
have  plenty  of  confidence  took  her  seat  at  the  table  and  entered 
into  conversation.  She  seemed  anxious  to  go  to  California  but 
did  not  say  anything  about  marrying  John.  She  was  finely 
dressed,  a  white  bonnet  and  veil.  I  thought  she  was  rather 
tiresome  and  after  offering  her  a  plate  of  pears,  that  were  on 
the  table,  I  left  for  my  bunk,  leaving  Capt  Marcy  and  Frisby  to 
entertain  her.  I  had  hardly  got  off  my  hat  and  boots  and  laid 
down,  when  I  was  interrupted  in  my  repose  by  a  visit  from  the 
fair  one  herself.  It  seemed  that  after  I  left  the  cabin,  the  lady 
boasted  of  having  a  husband  on  shore  and  several  tall  sons. 
Capt  F  told  her  He  had  a  son  on  board  who  was  thought  to 
be  tall  for  his  age.  Said  he  was  then  asleep  but  if  she  would 
step  in  the  cabin,  he  would  shew  her  his  fine  child,  and  wishing 
to  have  a  laugh  at  me,  he  brought  her  to  the  side  of  my  bed, 
where  I  was  stretched  at  full  length  on  the  top  of  the  cover, 
and  drawing  the  curtain  one  side  told  her  to  look.  I  opened 
my  eyes  wide  at  her.  She  started  back  left  the  cabin,  got  in 
her  boat  and  went  ashore,  much  to  John's  mortification  and 
wondering  in  her  own  mind  if  the  gallant  Captain  was  sane. 

JAN.  24.  We  are  once  more  breasting  the  waves  of  the 
briny  deep  and  in  fifty  days  if  nothing  happen,  we  will  be  in 
California  where  some  of  us  must  leave  the  number  of  our  mess 
— I  am  on  guard  again  to  night  and  half  the  men  drunk — I  can 
do  nothing  with  them — It  is  first  three  cheers  for  Lieut  H — 
and  then  three  cheers  for  some  one  else — Had  some  dreadful 
fights  among  them — liquor  is  the  sole  cause  and  the  greatest 
curse  that  ever  was  to  man — It  is  getting  worse  and  worse 
every  day  and  an  evil  I  never  encountered  before  joining  this 
regiment — I  am  truly  glad  I  have  no  relations  in  it  for  I  could 
not  have  borne  to  see  them  under  such  degrading  circumstances 
every  day  of  my  life — 

JAN.  30.  Had  quite  an  argument  to  day  about  the 
chickens  we  bought  at  Valparaiso  they  are  dieing:  I  say  for 
want  of  water  but  every  one  else  says  that  Chickens  do  not 
want  any  water  It  is  strange  that  I  who  have  had  some 
experience  of  a  Country  life,  that  my  opinion  should  not  be 
taken  in  such  matters.  I  have  fattened  very  much  since  I  have 
been  at  sea  all  except  my  face  and  that  looks  thinner  than 
ever  They  often  tell  me  I  look  the  picture  of  dispair  I  can- 
not tell  why  I  look  so,  without  [unless]  it  is  because  I  am 


20      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


tired  of  a  sealife.  Bonnycastle  told  me  the  other  day  that  he 
had  not  seen  me  laugh  since  I  had  been  at  sea.  I  do  not 
believe  him. 

FEB.  3.  Went  to  the  pig  pen  to  inspect  the  pigs  we 
bought  at  Valparaiso — they  look  very  badly  having  fallen  away 
in  flesh  and  seemed  sea  sick — I  should  have  called  them  small 
Shoats — there  was  not  one  fit  to  eat — we  paid  four  dollars  for 
them — I  also  inspected  the  chicken  coop  and  found  them  thin 
in  flesh  and  also  in  numbers — (We  had  a  lemonade  drinking  in 
our  cabin  today) — Had  in  addition  a  great  romp  among  the 
Lieutenants  in  their  cabin  made  a  great  deal  of  noise — the 
Lieut  Col  spoke  to  us  about  it — Dr  M —  explained  the  whole 
matter  in  our  defence  in  a  very  amusing  manner — 

I  must  now  announce  the  melancholy  inteligence,  of  the 
disappearance  of  all  our  chickens,  they  have  all  been  destroyed 
by  the  ravenous  appetites  of  the  officers  of  the  7.  Reg. 

FEB.  17.  Every  hour  brings  us  nearer  to  our  destination — 
I  have  been  a  witness  on  a  court  martial  today — done  nothing 
else  but  drill  the  company — the  men  have  made  great  com- 
plaints today  that  the  bed  bugs  were  eating  them  up — Had 
apple  pie  for  dinner — Had  also  a  private  talk  with  Col  Burton — 
he  offered  to  get  me  exchanged  into  another  company  if  I 
wished  it — he  seemed  to  think  it  would  be  better  for  me  but 
I  thought  I  had  better  stick  to  the  company  I  was  in — Was 
present  at  a  meeting  on  the  poop  deck  this  morning  at  6 
oclock  between  Captain  F —  and  N —  I  was  sorry  no  one  else 
was  there  but  myself — high  words  were  used  towards  one 
another  but  they  parted  before  blood  was  shed — I  was  not 
aware  there  would  be  a  meeting  and  was  setting  there — having 
got  up  for  revielle  that  morning — when  the  parties  made  their 
appearance — 

FEB.  18.  There  have  been  a  number  of  quarrels  among 
the  officiers  inconsequence  of  the  ill  feeling  existing  among  them 
— as  for  myself  I  have  got  along  very  well  and  had  no  difficulty 
with  any  one — with  one  exception  too  trifling  to  mention — The 
weather  has  been  so  hot  that  we  could  not  stay  on  deck  except 
when  we  had  the  awning  spread — The  tar  or  pitch  boiled  out 
of  the  seams  of  the  deck  inconsequence  of  the  extreme  heat  and 
made  every  thing  very  disagreeable.  Had  a  talk  with  the  old 
sailor  Fred — to  night  while  on  guard — it  was  his  watch  on 
deck — He  told  me — he  had  been  to  sea  for  sixteen  years  and  in 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  21 


that  time  had  never  heard  from  his  parents,  though  he  had 
written  many  letters  to  them — they  lived  in  Germany — He  said 
he-  was  tired  of  sea  life  and  this  would  be  his  last  voyage — 
Said  he  never  made  any  money  at  it  and  all  he  now  had  was 
a  fine  suit  of  clothes  which  he  would  put  on  when  he  got  back 
to  New  York — He  has  seen  many  hardships  and  ups  and  downs 
in  this  life  but  like  all  sailors  is  becoming  weaned  from  friends 
and  Country  and  in  all  probability  will  never  see  home  again — 

FEB.  20.  Lat  4..53  long  106..38  Have  got  along  but  slowly 
to  day,  nothing  has  occurred  of  interest,  with  the  exception  of 
a  shark  which  followed  the  vessel  for  some  hours — we  tried 
hard  to  hook  him  but  after  biteing  once,  he  would  not  come 
near  it  again — The  sea  around  the  vessel  was  at  the  same  time 
filled  with  porpoises  some  thousands  were  sporting  around  and 
leaping  out  of  the  water — they  are  so  plentiful  that  they  are  no 
longer  a  curiosity  It  has  been  raining  very  hard  all  night — 
the  first  rain  that  has  fallen  since  we  left  Valparaiso — 

FEB.  23.  Lat  7..36  long  107..36  We  celebrated  the  22d 
by  all  of  us  loading  our  pistols  going  on  deck  and  firing  three 
rounds,  the  Col  giving  the  word — On  Sunday  the  21st  inst 
caught  two  sharks  and  hawled  them  on  board — great  excite- 
ment during  the  performance — cut  them  up  and  had  part  for 
dinner,  did  not  like  it — We  caught  the  trade  winds  on  the  22d 
and  have  had  them  ever  since — nothing  of  any  consequence  has 
occurred  for  some  days  Have  had  beautiful  moonlight  nights 
and  some  singing  on  deck — I  have  forgotten  to  mention  in  the 
past  pages  the  Magellan  clouds  that  no  traveller  ever  sees  in  a 
Northern  Latitude — they  are  small  white  clouds,  seen  in  the 
night  only — 

The  12th  of  March  was  a  great  day  in  my  life — the  Col 
ordered  five  rounds  of  blank  cartridges  to  be  given  out — It  fell 
to  my  good  fortune  to  be  in  command  of  Comp.  I  and  they 
burnt  their  first  powder  by  my  order — It  has  always  been  my 
ambition  to  carry  them  through  their  first  fireings  and  the 
command  when  we  land  and  march  into  camp — the  first  I  have 
been  gratified  in — a  few  days  will  decide  the  others — 

MAR.  16.  The  weather  has  become  very  cold.  We  have 
to  wear  our  great  coats  all  day.  we  are  in  Lat  35.56N.  Long 
129.18W 

CALIFORNIA 


MARCH  22,  1847.    Arrived  in  California,  anchored  in  the 


22      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


Bay  of  San  Francisco,  after  a  long  passage  of  sixty  five  days 
from  Valparaiso.  Saw  large  quantities  of  Ducks  and  birds  of 
all  kinds.  The  Perkins  got  here  two  weeks  before  us  not 
having  stopped  from  the  time  she  left  Rio — On  guard  the  day 
we  arrived  in  port.  Heard  a  great  deal  of  news  but  none  from 
home. 

MAR.  31.  Bay  of  San  Ffrancisco].  Have  not  opened  my 
Journal  since  I  got  here.  Much  of  interest  has  occurred.  Nov 
9th  was  the  last  time  we  heard  from  the  States,  I  am  very 
anxious  to  hear  from  home  Many  have  got  letters  but  none 
for  me  We  are  now  ordered  to  Monterey,  I  am  all  ready  and 
not  sorry  to  leave.  It  has  been  very  cold  ever  since  we  came, 
and  rained  every  other  day. 

APR.  1.  Col  Stevenson  came  on  board  this  morning.  He 
appeared  to  be  in  a  great  flurry  as  usual.  Col  Burton  left  us 
yesterday  for  Santa  Barbara,  much  to  the  regret  of  all.  The 
Moscow  left  here  March  31st  with  Col  Burtons  command,  and 
had  hardly  got  under  weigh,  when  she  ran  aground,  but  would 
not  lower  her  flag  for  assistance  for  some  time  and  tried  hard 
to  get  off — She  however  failed  and  on  lowering  her  flag  to  half 
mast — assistance  was  sent  from  the  Independence  Comodore 
Shubrick.  there  was  quite  an  excitement  for  some  time*  The 
Cyane  frigate  also  sent  her  boats  Captain  Marcy  of  the  Inde- 
pendence went  on  board  of  the  Moscow  took  Command  and 
after  awhile  succeeded  in  getting  her  out  of  her  difficulty  and 
she  proceeded  on  her  voyage — I  had  the  honour  of  receiving 
Comd  Shubrick  on  board  this  morning — He  was  accompanied 
by  his  officiers  in  full  dress — they  all  looked  splendid  and  took 
me  by  surprise  I  was  therefore  not  prepared  for  them  and  had 
not  time  to  turn  out  the  guard  to  receive  them,  and  had  to 
receive  them  in  person — Lieut  Lewis  was  among  them — the 
finest  looking  man  I  ever  have  seen — they  did  not  stay  long — 
I  was  much  mortified  at  their  reception — However  it  was  not 
my  fault,  as  the  men  were  not  in  sufficient  trim  to  receive 
them — 

APR.  2.  I  have  not  made  one  acquaintance  since  I  have 
arrived  here — There  is  a  young  lady  on  shore  that  I  was  offered 
an  introduction  to  but  declined  it — Some  of  the  officers  have 
called  on  her  and  been  much  pleased — A  number  of  our  men 


♦Further  account  of  this  episode  is  piven  by  James  Lynch  in  his 
brochure  "With  Stevenson  to  California."  1896. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  Mc HENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  23 


have  been  very  much  poisoned  by  touching  some  plant  or  bush 
on  shore — (Out  of  funds  and  cant  get  any  pay  from  Uncle 
Sam)  Many  of  our  officiers  as  well  as  my  self  have  regretted 
our  coming  out  here  while  while  the  war  has  been  carried  on  in 
the  enemy's  Country  and  we  so  far  from  the  scene  of  strife — 
On  hearing  of  Genl.  Scotts  advance  upon  the  City  of  Mexico — 
we  wished  we  had  been  in  the  States  to  have  joined  him — We 
have  done  nothing  and  long  for  an  opportunity  of  distinguishing 
or  extinguishing  ourselves — 

An  accident  happened  last  night — the  first  of  the  kind  that 
has  occurred  since  we  left  New  York — though  of  frequent  occur- 
rence on  board  of  the  other  transports — We  were  all  at  supper 
when  an  unusual  noise  on  deck  and  that  dreadful  cry  which  is  so 
alarming  at  sea,  of  man  overboard — saluted  our  ears — we  all 
ran  on  deck  and  found  that  one  of  the  sailors  in  hoisting  the 
boat  on  deck  had  fallen  into  the  water  inconsequence  of  the 
ropes  breaking — He  could  not  swim  and  it  was  with  difficulty 
he  kept  his  head  above  water — a  rope  however  was  thrown  him 
and  after  awhile  he  was  landed  safe  on  deck — There  is  one 
thing  I  have  learnt  since  I  came  to  sea  that  I  never  knew 
before — that  but  few  sailors  know  how  to  swim  perhaps  not 
more  than  one  out  of  every  five — on  board  of  this  vessel  there 
is  not  one  that  can. 

I  have  been  on  Shore  and  took  a  long  walk  and  am  quite 
tired — I  walked  about  three  miles  in  the  direction  of  the 
Mission  met  some  Californians  on  horse  back  &  some  Indians 
on  foot — Lieut  Hulet  was  along  but  the  sand  was  so  deep  that 
I  returned — he  however  kept  on  out  to  the  Mission — I  walked 
slowly  back  and  was  overtaken  by  an  Indian  driving  some 
Cattle — he  told  me  it  was  very  dangerous  to  be  walking  about 
so  far  in  the  Country  without  arms  and  that  he  had  seen  a 
panther  that  morning  near  where  we  were — I  had  nothing  but 
my  pocket  pistols  but  got  safe  home  I  must  now  pack  for 
Monterey.  I  am  sorry  to  leave  the  Susan  Drew.  I  have  been 
so  long  in  her  and  seen  a  good  deal.  Great  prepperations  made 
for  leaving  in  the  Lexington.  I  have  got  so  used  to  the  hard 
bread  and  biscuit  that  I  prefer  it  to  any  other  and  the  water 
that  I  made  so  much  fuss  about  at  the  first  part  of  my  voyage 
I  now  drink  off  without  thinking  about  it.  And  often  go  on 
shore  and  walk  by  a  fine  spring  without  tasteing  it  and  then 
come  on  board  and  drink  a  tumbler  full  that  was  brought  all 


24      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


the  way  from  New  York  I  think  my  former  relish  for  fresh 
water  would  return  where  I  to  taste  it. 

[Arrived  at  Monterey  April  7th  after  a  sail  of  24  hrs  and 
went  into  camp  in  the  outskirts  of  the  town  called  it  camp 
Kearney] 

APR.  7.  Camp  Kearney — Monterey  Wednesday  I  have 
arrived  at  Monterey  after  a  sail  of  twenty  hours  and  once  more 
experienced  sea  sickness  in  its  worst  form — We  were  landed  on 
the  wharf  by  the  boats  of  the  Columbus  and  other  American 
armed  vessels  and  after  marching  through  the  town  encamped 
at  this  place — a  beautiful  spot  of  Ground  in  front  of  the  Church 
— We  arrived  late  on  the  ground  and  great  confusion  occurred 
inconsequence  of  not  being  able  to  get  all  the  tents  up — Had 
a  visit  from  Lieut  Tansill  of  the  Marines — he  is  a  fine  fellow — 

APR.  14.  Have  neglected  my  Journal  but  I  have  seen  so 
much,  and  so  many  things  have  happened.  But  the  most  agree- 
able thing  is  the  news  of  our  being  paid  off  to-morrow.  General 
Kearney  gave  the  order  General  Valejo  has  left  for  San  Fran- 
cisco with  a  guard  of  our  men.  It  is  very  warm  in  the  day 
but  very  cold  at  night  and  damp  too.  plenty  of  fleas  and  dogs 
— if  a  dog  dies  in  the  street — he  is  never  moved  no  matter  how 
great  the  stench  he  causes — 

APR.  15.  I  went  to  a  fandago  last  night  and  enjoyed 
myself  very  much  looking  on  as  I  did  not  dance — I  have  not 
been  introduced  to  a  single  lady  since  I  got  here — This  dance 
was  nothing  in  comparison  to  the  great  Navy  ball — I  was 
detailed  today  to  go  up  to  Tompkin's  Camp  with  a  working 
party — It  is  very  disagrcable  duty  and  it  was  with  difficulty  I 
got  off  of  it  but  will  have  to  go  tomorrow — 

APR.  17.  Went  out  to  Carmell  Valley  on  a  gunning  expe- 
dition with  Bonnycastle — saw  a  number  of  quails,  got  only  six 
out  of  the  large  number  of  them — We  rode  some  twenty  mile 
up  the  valley — It  is  a  beautiful  country  for  grazeing,  some 
romantick  scenery — Hills  covered  with  wild  oats,  headed 
already  and  all  kinds  of  wild  flowers — We  visited  Captn  Tomp- 
kins' camp  It  had  a  guard  of  only  about  fifteen  men  to  take 
care  of  about  a  hundred  horses  the  finest  I  have  seen  in  the 
Country — 

APR.  18.  I  am  ordered  on  a  court  martial  by  Genl  Kear- 
ney and  inconsequence  am  excused  from  duty — We  have  made 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  25 


arrangements  for  having  a  fandago  weekly — I  saw  Genl  Castro's 
little  son  at  the  last  ball — he  was  asked  if  he  would  not  like  to 
be  in  the  army  and  fight  the  Mexicans — he  spoke  out  very 
boldly  and  said  no  but  I  would  like  to  fight  the  Americans  and 
drive  them  from  the  country — He  is  only  twelve  years  of  age 
and  the  enemies  of  his  country  were  around  him  but  he  spoke 
fearlessly — His  father  is  now  trying  to  raise  troops  to  march 
against  us — I  have  not  heard  from  home  yet  nor  seen  a  paper 
from  the  United  States — 

APR.  19.  Dreamed  of  home  last  night  for  the  first  time 
and  that  Ned  was  dead.  Once  before  I  dreamed  of  home,  and 
that  they  all  received  me  very  coldly.  I  dont  think  that  can 
ever  happen.  * 

APR.  20.  Pulled  down  our  tents  and  went  in  barracks. 
I  am  going  to  live  in  a  tent  with  the  Adjt.  He  has  asked  me 
to  do  so.    I  will  not  mess  with  the  company  Officers. 

[April  23rd  broke  up  our  encampment  and  moved  into  bar- 
racks   received  my  first  letters  from  home  on  this  day] 

APR.  23.  Got  letters  from  Home.  It  was  joyful  news  to 
hear  there  were  letters. 

[May  2nd  Capt  Tompkins  of  the  artilleray  left  for  the 
United  States] 

MAY  2.  Capt  Tomkins  left  for  home.  Sent  a  letter  by 
him.  Been  much  engaged  trying  to  be  transferred  to  the  G 
company  succeeded  at  last.  Went  to  Mrs.  Dr  Towson's1  last 
night  and  met  with  a  very  strange  adventure  with  a  young 
lady — She  was  a  Miss  Soperanos  and  married  to  a  Spaniard 
who  had  treated  her  cruelly  and  then  deserted  her — She  thought 
I  was  like  her  husband  and  indeed  all  the  family  thought  so — 
I  therefore  generally  went  by  the  name  of  her  husband  and 
when  ever  she  saw  me,  she  appeared  unable  to  controul  her  feel- 
ings She  and  all  called  me  She  would 
not  stay  in  the  room  when  I  went  there 

[May  the  8th  left  on  board  the  U.  S.  Store  ship  Lexington 
with  Genl  Kearney  &  Staff  for  San  Pedro.] 

MAY  8.    On  board  the  Lexington  transport  with  General 


1 — Dr.  John  Towson  lived  in  Monterey,  where  for  a  while  he  practiced 
medicine.    Mrs.  Towson  was  a  sister  of  Moses  Schallenberger. 


26      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


Kearney  and  staff  on  our  way  down  to  San  Pedro  and  from 
thence  after  landing  we  shall  march  to  Puebla  Los  Angeles  the 
principal  town  in  upper  California — So  far  the  voyage  has  been 
very  pleasant  the  only  thing  I  am  uneasy  about  is  seventy 
dollars  in  gold  I  have  in  my  pocket  and  am  afraid  of  losing  it — 
I  have  met  Genl  K  frequently  both  on  land  and  since  we  have 
been  at  sea — seen  him  often  but  never  spoke  to  him  untill  last 
evening — In  fact  I  was  rather  shy  of  him  and  I  think  he 
noticed  it — I  was  on  deck  when  the  band  was  playing — He  also 
was  there  and  walked  up  to  me  and  the  following  conversation 
took  place — Genl — Which  is  the  leader  of  the  band  Sir — The 
small  man  on  the  right  Genl  What  is  his  name  Sir — Jose  Vevis 
Genl  What  part  of  the  world  do  you  hail  from  Sir  Baltimore, 
general — Baltimore  Ah !  indeed,  you  are  quite  young  yet  and 
have  the  world  before  you  Sir  and  will  never  regret  your  coming 
out  here — 

May  10.  Arrived  at  San  Pedro,  Landed  pitched  our  tents 
and  made  a  wharf.  Did  not  know  till  we  were  done  that  it  was 
Sunday.  Will  march  to  Los  Angelos  to  morrow,  distant  twenty 
five  miles.  San  Pedro  situated  on  the  coast  consists  of  two 
houses,  not  a  tree  or  blade  of  grass  near  it.  It  is  all  one  vast 
plain,  neither  wood  or  water,  all  our  water  is  brought  from  the 
vessel  in  canteens. 

MAY  11.  I  have  drawn  all  my  pay  up  to  the  first  of  May 
and  have  about  seventy  five  dollars  in  gold  tied  around  my 
neck — 

[May  the  15th  left  for  Ciudad  de  los  Angelos  &  arrived  that 
night  took  up  our  quarters  in  the  Dragoon  Barracks  went  in 
camp  the  next  morning] 

MAY  17.  Been  here  a  week.  It  is  the  garden  spot  of 
California    The  grounds  are  beautiful 

MAY  18.  Walked  over  to  Don  Luis,  met  a  large  party  of 
ladies.  Spent  a  pleasant  time  Had  the  band  there,  gave  them 
some  musick.  Rode  the  Col's  horse  home.  Saw  a  beautiful 
Spanish  girl  there,  gave  her  a  bouquet,  &  murdered  Spanish  at 
her  at  agreat  rate. 

MAY  19.    Went  to  see  Mrs  Howard2  last  night,  a  pleasant 

2 — Mrs.  Howard.  This  was  undoubtedly  the  wife  of  W.  D.  M. 
Howard,  daughter  of  William  Warren,  and  adopted  daughter  of 
Capt.  Grimes.  It  is  not  apparent  what  she  was  doing  in  Los 
Angeles  at  this  time,  as  her  husband,  together  with  Henry  Melius, 
was  running  an  establishment  in  San  Francisco. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  27 


evening.  Our  band  has  been  playing  this  morning.  I  think  it 
is  the  best  thing  we  brought  with  us.  It  is  a  great  curiosity 
here,    a  great  many  come  to  hear  it  every  evening. 

MAY  23.  Been  visiting.  Had  some  pleasant  evenings. 
Saw  Mrs  General  Flores  at  Don  Luis.3  She  is  a  very  inter- 
esting woman  The  most  popular  house  is  Mr  Stearns  He  has 
married  a  young  Spanish  girl4  but  the  principal  attraction  is 
Senorita  Isidora  Bandinni.5  The  lady  I  met  at  Don  Luis.  She 
is  a  great  belle  and  a  great  flirt.  Col  Fremont  has  always  been 
the  favourite  beau,  but  I  have  cut  them  all  out,  and  when  I  walk 
in  the  rest  stand  back.  I  must  now  stop  but  perhaps  Isidora 
you  will  again  come  on  these  pages. 

MAY  24.  Walked  over  to  see  Isidora  last  night.  It  was 
Sunday  and  I  had  nothing  to  do.  I  found  her  looking  lovely  as 
ever.  I  was  told  there  would  be  a  dance  at  10  oclock  and 
requested  to  be  there.  I  was  anxious  to  know  if  Isidora  would 
dance  on  Sunday.  I  was  one  of  the  last  who  arrived.  Ah  Isidora 
you  are  but  a  heathen.  She  is  dancing  with  one  of  Kearneys  dark 
mustachoed  dragoons  She  was  dressed  in  a  plain  white  muslin 
and  had  left  off  all  those  hateful  Spanish  ornaments,  and  wore 
nothing  in  her  her  hair  but  a  beautiful  rose  I  had  presented  her 

3 —  Don  Luis.  There  is  no  indication  as  to  who  this  may  be,  but 
probably  it  was  Don  Luis  Vignes,  a  Frenchman  and  a  winemaker, 
who  was  living  in  Los  Angeles  at  this  time,  and  a  man  of  con- 
siderable prominence. 

4 —  Arcadia  Stearns.  Wife  of  Abel  Stearns  and  daughter  of  Juan 
Bandini.  After  Stearns'  death  in  71,  she  inherited  most  of  his 
property,  and  married  Robert  S.  Baker,  and  was  long  known  in 
Los  Angeles  as  Doiia  Arcadia  Baker,  a  very  rich  woman. 

5 —  Isidora  Bandini.  An  account  of  Isidora  Bandini,  by  Smyth  is  found 
in  the  "History  of  San  Diego,  1907."  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Juan  Bandini,  born  in  1800.  and  Dolores  Estudillo;  was  born  Sep- 
tember 23,  1829,  and  died  May  23,  1897.  The  Bandini  family  lived 
in  San  Diego  in  what  is  now  "Old  Town."  They  were  of  Italian 
origin,  and  it  is  likely  that  Juan  Bandini's  mother  was  a  Peruvian. 
There  is  a  story  attributed  to  Isidora  Bandini's  son,  J.  Couts,  Jr., 
that  his  mother,  while  on  a  visit  from  San  Diego  to  the  Mission 
San  Luis  Rey  in  1849,  where  his  father  was  stationed  in  command 
of  some  United  States  troops,  fell  off  of  some  part  of  a  building, 
but  was  saved  from  severe  accident  by  falling  into  the  arms  of 
Lieut.  Couts,  incidentally  falling  in  love  at  the  same  time.  At  any 
rate,  Isidora  was  married  to  Cave  Johnson  Couts,  April  5,  1851. 
Couts  was  a  Kentuckian,  a  nephew  of  the  well-known  Cave 
Johnson,  a  graduate  of  West  Point  and  an  officer  in  the  U.  S. 
regular  army.  Shortly  after  the  marriage.  Tsidora's  brother-in-law. 
Abel  Stearns,  presented  her  with  a  ranch  called  Guajome,  after- 
wards famous  in  the  annals  of  Southern  California.  The  newly 
married  couple  moved  there  in  1853.  though  some  authors  say  in 
1852.  There  are  two  views  of  Guajome  in  Smyth's  History,  but 
no  account  of  the  ranch.  Couts  died  in  San  Die.iro,  April  10,  1874, 
leaving  ten  children. 


28      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


with  that  evening.  Every  one  was  seeking  her  for  a  partner. 
She  never  looked  so  lovely  It  had  long  been  wondered  who 
was  the  favoured  admirer.  Some  said  the  Marines,  Some 
thought  the  Dragoons.  Report  said  Capt  Fremont  was  an 
accepted  lover.  Slander  went  so  far  as  to  say  Commodore 
Stocton  was  more  The  last  was  false,  and  I  knew  more  than 
those  around.  Yes  Reader  smile  not  at  what  I  now  tell  you. 
Say  not  it  was  my  vanity,  but  believe  me  when  I  assert  that  I 
had  long  known,  that  the  2d  Lieut  of  the  Volunteers  was  pre- 
ferred to  all. — I  took  my  place  behind  the  dancers  in  a  retired 
part  of  the  room,  and  felt  as  if  I  had  done  wrong  in  coming 
on  Sunday  to  a  dance.  I  watched  Isidora  for  some  time  She 
did  not  seem  to  dance  with  her  usual  animation.  She  seemed 
looking  for  some  one  anxiously.  Her  eyes  often  wandered 
round  the  room  and  I  began  to  feel  jealous.  At  last  I  caught 
her  eye  and  a  bright  glance  it  was.  It  told  me  I  was  the 
absent  one,  she  looked  for.  A  momen  before,  and  I  had  felt 
neglected  by  all  the  world.  I  had  been  drooping  in  spirit  for 
some  time.  But  now  I  felt  a  confidence  I  had  never  known 
before.  How  I  longed  to  lead  her  to  the  dance,  but  that  could 
not  be  for  I  did  not  know  how.  She  seemed  hurt  that  I  did 
not  ask  her,  to  dance  and  sent  to  ask  me  to  waltze  with  her. 
It  was  in  vain  I  assured  her  that  I  did  not  know  how  and  at 
last  came  over  and  sat  down  by  me.  I  told  her  I  did  not  know 
how.  She  said  she  would  teach  me.  I  at  last  asked  her  to 
dance  the  next  set  with  her.  She  promised  to  help  me  all  she 
could.  I  led  her  out  and  like  Harry  Sanford  presented  my 
left  hand  first.  I  got  through  at  last.  She  insisted  I  did  very 
well,  but  I  knew  better.  She  now  took  her  seat  by  my  side 
instead  of  dancing.  I  got  many  dark  looks  and  the  dragoon 
took  his  hat  and  walked  of!  Ah  Isadora  you  were  the  cause 
of  my  first  dance.  I  must  now  take  leave  of  this  fair  one  and 
go  on  duty  as  officer  of  guard 

JUNE  7.  Just  returned  from  San  Pedro  and  reported 
myself  at  headquarters.    Been  absent  one  week. 

JUNE  8.  Got  the  blues  very  bad  indeed  in  consequence  of 
Isidora  having  jilted  me  She  appears  to  have  forgotten  me 
entirely  during  my  short  absence. 

JUNE  10.  Went  to  Mr  Sale's6  last  evening  Isidora  was 
there,  seemed  to  want  to  make  up.    Dont  intend  to  let  her. 


0 — Mr.  Sales.    This  may  be  the  Alexander  Sales,  said  to  have  been 
the  same  as  Cyrus  Alexander. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  29 


JUNE  12.  Gave  the  people  here  a  splendid  ball.  Every 
thing  passed  of  well,  except  a  little  difficulty,  when  the  guests 
were  departing  between  Capt  Stevenson  and  Lieut  B-  It  arose 
in  consequence  of  my  transferring  my  claim  of  waiting  on 
Donna  Isidora,  to  Lieut  B.  which  Capt  S  refused  to  acknow- 
ledge. Interfered  of  course  and  took  her  home.  I  had  intended 
to  have  cut  her  dead,  but  on  a  bet  that  I  could  not  take  her  to 
the  ball,  I  determined  to  shew  them  I  could.  I  was  much  mor- 
tified that  I  could  not  waltze  with  her  She  is  the  most  perfect 
coquette  I  ever  saw.  She  was  dressed  in  a  rich  pink  and  gold 
silk,  with  a  shawl  on  worth  $300!  I  never  saw  her  look  better. 
I  was  in  full  uniform  and  entered  with  her  on  my  arm.  She 
was  the  belle  of  the  evening. 

Went  to  take  leave  of  Isidora  She  is  going  to  the  country. 
We  parted  good  friends.    She  gave  me  a  pink  as  a  parting  gift 

JUNE  22.  Moved  into  barracks,  room  large  but  damp. 
Took  a  bad  cold. 

CELEBRATION    OF    THE    FOURTH    OF   JULY    AT    CIUDAD    DE  LOS 
ANGELES.  UPPER  CALIFORNIA  BY  THE  AMERICAN  TROOPS 
STATIONED  AT  THAT  POST,  IN  THE  YEAR  1847. 

Written  by  a  Gentleman  named  Toy   [H.  H.  F.  Toye]  out  of  compliment 
to  Mr.  Hollingsworth. 

This  day  so  dear  to  the  heart  of  every  American  was  received 
with  that  pure  and  heart  felt  Joy  which  stimulates  the  soul  of  every 
lover  of  Freedom  by  the  American  Troops  stationed  at  this  Post  being 
seen  winding  their  way  at  day  break  to  the  heights  from  the  summit 
of  which  is  a  Fort  erected  by  the  Soldiers,  under  the  direction  of 
Lt  Davidson  1  Regt  U.  S.  Dragoons  (which  commands  this  the  largest 
City  in  California)  for  the  purpose  of  commencing  the  ceremonies  of 
the  day.  All  the  Troops  were  present  when  at  Sun  rise  for  the  first 
time  the  American  Flag  was  displayed  and  hoisted  on  a  beautiful  pole 
by  2  Lieut  J.  W.  Davidson.  As  the  Flag  unfolded  its  beautiful  stripes 
to  the  breeze  it  was  hailed  by  nine  deafening  cheers  by  the  surrounding 
Soldiery  when  the  Band  of  the  7  Regt.  N.  [Y.]  U.  S.  Volunteers  struck 
up  the  well  known  Patriotic  air  of  the  Star  Spangled  Banner  which 
was  followed  by  a  Federal  Salute  fired  by  the  Id  U.  S.  Dragoons 
which  closed  the  proceedings  for  the  morning  until  11  O. Clock. 

At  11  O. Clock  the  Soldiers  were  again  ordered  under  arms  and 
marched  to  the  Fortification  (the  Dragoons  Commanded  by  Lts  Smith 
&  Stoneman,  the  N.  Y.  Legion  by  Capt  Stevenson.  .  Compa  "G"  by 
Lt  Hollingsworth,  and  Company  "E"  by  Capt  Taylor,  and  Lt  Cutrell, 
and  the  Mormon  Battalion  by  Capt  Hunt)  when  it  was  named  and 
dedicated  by  Col.  Stevenson  (who  was  present  with  his  Staff  consisting 
of  Adjt  Bonnycastle,  Dr  Griffin,  and  Lieut  Davidson)  by  a  short  but 
appropriate  address  well  suited  for  the  occasion,  in  which  he  mentioned 


30      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


the  gallant  conduct  on  the  field  of  San  Pas  Qual  of  Capt.  B  Moore 
after  whom  he  named  the  Fort,  he  spoke  of  him  as  a  gentleman,  an 
Officer  and  Soldier  and  stated  the  loss  our  Country  had  sustained  by 
his  death  at  that  Battle  where  he  fell  with  17  lance  wounds  charging 
at  the  head  of  his  Dragoons.  The  Colonel  then  ended  his  address  and 
wine  was  served  to  the  Troops,  after  which  a  National  Salute  was 
fired  and  the  Soldiers  were  marched  off  the  ground  to  the  air  of  Hail 
Columbia,  and  so  ended  the  public  ceremonies  of  the  day. 

The  evening  was  celebrated  by  a  magnificent  ball  given  by  the 
Officers  of  the  Garrison  at  Lieut  Davidsons  Quarters,  at  which  assem- 
bled all  the  elite  of  the  City;  the  room  was  decorated  in  a  magnificent 
and  tasteful  style  by  Lts  Hollingsworth  and  Stoneman,  the  ceiling  was 
entirely  covered  with  the  Banner  we  had  that  morning  hoisted  on 
Fort  Moore;  at  the  head  of  the  room  was  very  appropriately  placed  a 
likeness  of  the  Father  of  our  Country  beautifully  decorated  with  lights 
and  evergreens  as  under  the  blessing  of  God  to  his  exertions  the 
American  nation  is  indebted  for  the  much  prized  Independence  and 
blessed  Freedom  it  now  enjoys.  At  the  foot  of  the  room  were  displayed 
the  splendidly  painted  Colours  of  the  New  York  Legion,  in  each  corner 
was  placed  a  stack  of  mtiskets  the  bayonets  of  which  were  used  as 
Chandeliers  which  had  a  beautiful  effect  and  around  the  walls  were 
place  Cutlasses  and  Sabres'  in  the  form  of  stars  in  the  centre  of  which 
candles  were  burning,  independently  of  these  the  room  was  dressed  in 
a  manner  that  did  great  credit  to  Lts  Hollingsworth  and  Stoneman 
with  evergreens.  Among  the  many  lovely  female  faces  could  be  seen 
the  Ladies  of  Generals  Floris,  Carillo,  and  Pico.  At  the  head  of  the 
room  was  suspended  a  beautiful  wreath  made  by  Lt  Hollingsworth 
to  be  presented  to  the  Belle  of  the  evening  considerable  difficulty 
was  experienced  by  the  Judges  in  awarding  the  prize  as  there  were 
two  candidates  of  such  great  and  equal  beauty  that  they  scarcely  felt 
able  to  decide  to  whom  to  give  it,  but  eventually  it  was  awarded  to 
the  Sister  of  General  Floris'  Wife,  who  may  now  be  deemed  as  the 
Belle  of  the  City  of  Angelos. 

The  Bouquet  was  made  by  Capt.  King. 

The  Company  danced  until  One  OrClock  when  they  repaired  to 
the  Supper  Room  which  was  arranged  with  great  profusion  and 
elegance  under  the  Porch  which  extends  the  entire  length  of  the 
building  which  was  screened  at  the  front  and  ends  from  the  night  air. 
After  partaking  of  the  sumptuous  refreshments  laid  before  them,  the 
Company  again  returned  to  the  Ball  room,  where  dancing  was  again 
entered  upon  with  renewed  vigour,  and  continued  until  the  break  of 
day,  when  the  assembly  retired  to  their  respective  homes. 

On  the  same  evening  the  1  Dragoons  celebrated  the  occasion  at 
their  quarters  and  if  the  ladies  present  were  not  so  select,  it  did  not 
prevent  their  enjoying  themselves  full  as  much  as  their  Officers:  both 
balls  closed  about  the  same  time,  and  so  ended  the  celebration  of  this 
the  first  Anniversary  of  American  Independence  that  has  been  cele- 
brated in  this  City — 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  31 


ACCOUNT  OF  THE  BATTLE  OF  SAN  PAS  QUALL 

[December  6,  1846.] 

I  will  now  give  my  readers  an  account  of  the  Battle  of  San  pas 
quail  as  it  was  given  to  me  by  two  of  the  officiers  who  were  engaged 
in  it — I  think  it  will  differ  somewhat  from  General  K's  official  report — 
at  the  same  time  I  will  confine  myself  to  facts — Genl  Kearney  had 
been  in  the  country  but  a  few  days  when  he  was  met  by  Captn 
Gelepsie  [Gillespie]  with  a  small  force,  not  more  than  thirty  men — 
Genl  K'  had  about  one  hundred  thus  making  one  hundred  and  thirty 
in  all — He  was  informed  by  Captn  G  of  the  state  of  the  country  and 
that  a  large  force  of  Californians  was  in  the  field  under  the  command 
of  Genl  Andrew  Pico  Genl  Kearney  was  then  advancing  towards  Santo 
Diego  which  place  Gilepsie  was  just  from.  The  morning  after  he  was 
informed  by  his  scouts  that  the  enemy  were  not  far  from  him  and 
the  night  following  news,  was  brought  that  a  body  of  horsemen  were 
encamped  some  six  miles  in  front  and  they  had  a  large  number  of  led 
horses — Genl  K  then  planned  a  surprize  of  the  enemy's  camp  with  the 
hope  of  seizing  the  horses  to  mount  his  men  they  having  only  the 
mules  they  had  brought  from  the  states  and  about  twelve  broken  down 
horses — He  sent  Lieut  Hammond  with  a  few  dragoons  to  reconnoitre 
the  situation  of  the  enemy's  camp  during  the  night — Lieut  H  made 
his  reconnaisance  but  was  discovered  and  made  a  hasty  retreat — on 
his  return — Genl  K  determined  to  march  and  attack  them  that  night — 
Captn  Moore  Led  the  advance — Lieut  Davidson  was  in  command  of  the 
battery  of  Howitzers  held  in  reserve — Major  Swords  was  in  the  rear 
with  the  baggage  train — At  six  in  the  morning  they  were  descending 
a  hill  when  a  small  party  of  the  enemy  were  seen  near  a  ravine  filled 
with  undergrowth — the  moment  they  got  down  the  hill,  they  charged  at 
full  speed  and  were  received  by  a  fire  of  small  arms  from  a  concealed 
body  of  riflemen  and  on  turning  the  bend  of  the  ravine  found  them- 
selves in  the  presence  of  three  hundred  of  the  enemy — Genl  K  says 
but  Genl  Pico  says  he  had  one  hundred  men  only — In  the  charge  that 
was  made  those  who  were  best  mounted  outstripped  the  others  and 
first  engaged  the  enemy  and  were  killed — Among  whom  were  Capts 
Moore  &  Johnson  and  Lieut  Hammond  mortally  wounded — Kearney's 
men  then  commenced  firing  but  the  carbines  of  the  dragoons  were  wet 
from  the  rain  of  the  night  before — Dr  Griffin7  one  of  the  Genl  staff 
told  me  that  he  tried  hard  to  give  the  general  the  slip  wishing  to  be 
in  the  first  charge  but  was  discovered  and  ordered  to  the  rear — and 
still  determined  to  take  part  in  the  action  was  obliged  to  make  a  circuit 
to  avoid  be  seen  by  the  Genl  and  in  doing  this  was  chased  by  four  of 
the  enemy  He  endeavoured  to  shoot  his  double  barrelled  gun  at  them 
but  it  was  wet  and  would  not  go  off  and  he  was  compelled  to  throw 
it  away  and  put  spurs  to  his  mule  and  take  shelter  among  the  dragoons 
Lieut  Davidson  in  the  mean  time  came  up  with  his  battery  but  could 
not  get  a  position  to  use  it — every  time  he  attempted  it  found  he  would 
be  firing  into  his  own  men  and  endangering  their  lives — He  therefore 

7 — Dr.  John  S.  Griffin,  a  surgeon  in  the  U.  S.  Army.  He  also  kept 
a  journal  in  '46  and  '47,  part  of  which  was  published  by  J.  J. 
Warner  in  Lewin's  History  of  Los  Angeles,  1876. 


32      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


told  the  non  commissioned  officier  to  take  the  battery  to  the  devil  drew 
his  sabre  and  dashed  into  the  fight — He  was  attacked  by  two  Cali- 
fornians  one  he  killed  with  his  pistol  and  parried  the  blow  of  the 
others  lance  with  his  sabre — the  californian  then  ran — Lieut  D-  says 
that  before  the  fight  he  begged  Genl  Kearney  to  let  him  go  in  advance 
with  his  battery  but  he  refused  and  ordered  him  to  the  rear — But  after 
the  fight  was  over  the  Genl  admitted  the  result  would  have  been 
different  had  the  battery  been  in  the  front  the  mules  ran  away  with 
one  gun  during  the  action  after  Davidson  left  the  battery — as  Dr 
Griffin  went  into  the  fight  he  met  Lieut  Hammond — he  said  Dr  I  am 
wounded  very  severely  I  think  mortally — the  Dr  told  him  to  get  down 
and  he  would  examine  his  wound — it  was  mortal  for  he  died  that  night 
— The  returns  of  the  battle  shew  thirty  killed,  wounded  and  missing — 
of  the  enemy  none  were  found  on  the  field  though  no  doubt  many 
were  killed  a  number  of  horses  of  the  enemy  were  found  dead  The 
enemy  fell  back  as  our  forces  advanced  leaving  Genl  Kearney  in 
possession  of  the  field — I  have  given  all  the  particulars  of  this  fight 
having  taken  some  pains  to  get  at  the  truth  and  had  these  facts  from 
those  who  were  eye  witnesses  of  the  battle — 

There  was  a  great  mistake  made  somewhere  but  who  made  it  is 
the  difficulty  to  determine  as  the  officiers  who  were  in  it  generally  do 
not  like  to  talk  about  it — The  Californians  claim  a  victory  but  as  our 
troops  kept  the  field  and  the  Californians  retreated  the  victory  was 
ours  although  dearly  bought — Genl  Kearney  took  a  position  next  day 
upon  a  high  hill  near  at  hand  where  he  was  obliged  to  remain  and 
feed  his  men  upon  sore  backed  mules  untill  he  was  reinforced  by  a 
detachment  of  sailors  sent  from  the  Congress — 

JULY  6.  The  glorious  4th  is  over!  We  had  a  splendid 
ball  at  night  The  room  was  crowded.  Isidora  was  there  Great 
attention  paid  her  by  all  but  me  I  did  not  even  speak  to  her. 
I  had  taken  a  very  active  part  in  the  ball  and  worked  hard, 
but  I  felt  mortified  and  disappointed  that  I  could  not  dance ! 

JULY  9.  Isidora  gave  a  large  party  last  night  I  sat  in  a 
corner  of  the  room.  She  came  and  asked  me  to  dance.  I  told 
her  I  did  not  want  to,  and  left  early  mad  with  all  the  world 
because  I  did  not  know  how  to  dance. 

AUG.  4.  Lieut  Stoneman  1st  Drags  quarters  were  broken 
open  and  his  trunk  robbed  of  seven  hundred  dollars  in  —  I 
had  just  left  his  quarters  with  him  and  on  our  return  we  were 
informed  by  Mrs  Flores  that  two  men  had  broken  in  the 
house — she  saw  them  from  her  door  which  was  next — We  made 
great  exertions  last  night  to  discover  the  thieves  but  as  yet 
have  not  been  successful — I  am  truly  sorry  for  poor  Stoneman 
— It  is  hard  to  lose  money  so  far  from  home 


AUG.  6.    I  relieved  Captn  Smith  1st  Drag  and  went  on  as 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  33 


officier  of  the  day — I  have  a  guard  of  about  twenty — volunteers 
and  ten  dragoons  on  the  heights  with  two  pieces  of  artillery 
and  ready  for  a  fight  at  any  time  the  Calafornians  want  it — 

AUG.  10.  On  board  of  survey  to  examine  horses  belonging 
to  the  first  dragoons  and  had  to  condemn  some  as  being  too 
light  for  the  battery  of  artillery 

AUG.  20.  In  command  of  the  guard  last  night — Lieut 
Stoneman  came  to  me  and  said  he  was  informed  that  the  money 
that  had  been  stolen  from  him  was  buried  some  where  in  the 
guard  house — We  therefore  made  great  search  for  it  and  found 
it  at  last  under  the  head  of  the  bed  of  private  Smith  1st  Dra- 
goons who  was  lying  on  his  bed — I  dug  it  up  with  the  point 
of  my  sabre — He  denied  knowing  any  thing  about  it  but  in  half 
an  hour  afterwards  tried  to  take  his  own  life — He  placed  a 
pistol  as  near  his  heart  as  he  could  reach  with  his  irons  on  his 
wrists  and  fired — the  ball  entered  his  side  passing  out  at  his 
back — he  is  not  dead  yet  but  refuses  to  confess  where  he  has 
hid  the  rest  of  his  money — 

SEPT.  6.  I  went  on  a  gunning  expedition  to  day  and  was 
galloping  along  with  the  rest  of  the  officiers  when  my  horse 
tripped  and  fell  with  me  roling  on  and  bruising  me  very  much, 
breaking  also  a  very  handsome  gun  I  had  with  me — One  duck 
was  the  contents  of  my  game  bag  when  I  got  back  to  bar- 
racks— where  I  found  letters  from  home — I  laid  myself  down 
on  the  bed  and  though  suffering  much  from  pain  caused  by  my 
fall  read  my  letters  with  much  pleasure 

SEPT.  9.  I  received  letters  a  few  days  ago  from  home 
informing  me,  that  Edward  had  enlisted  in  Walker's  company 
on  the  9  of  February  It  was  on  the  17  April  that  I  dreamed 
of  his  death    I  now  fear  very  much  that  it  is  true. 

SEPT.  12.  I  went  last  evening  to  take  a  ride  with  Capt 
Stevenson  by  invitation.  I  had  hardly  got  over  my  previous 
fall,  and  was  quite  sore  yet  but  feeling  in  a  riding  humour  I 
determined  to  go.  I  went  to  his  house  and  heard  him  order 
horses  a  small  horse  for  me  which  I  had  my  doubts  about.  I 
asked  him  if  he  fell  down,  he  said  no  but  I  saw  him  smile  as 
he  said  it.  The  horses  were  brought  to  the  door.  I  mounted, 
the  horse  commenced  plunging  with  me  and  lifting  himself  high 
in  the  air  with  one  bound  dashed  off.  he  didnot  get  me  off 
much  to  the  disappointment  of  Capt  S.  The  fair  Isadora  and 


34      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


a  number  of  ladies  who  were  on  the  opposite  porch  and  wit- 
nessed the  affair.  After  two  hours  hard  gallop  we  returned  at 
the  same  head  long  speed  on  dismounting  we  saw  the  ladies 
over  the  the  way  and  joined  them  I  was  complimented  on  my 
riding  by  the  fair  Isadora.  I  think  that  she  would  have  liked 
to  have  seen  me  thrown 

SEPT.  19.  I  am  now  on  a  military  commission  to  try 
some  men  for  stealing — It  does  not  differ  much  from  the  form 
of  a  court  martial  — 

SEPT.  21.  News  arrived  here  last  night  that  a  body  of 
troops  were  advancing  on  this  place  and  we  are  making  prepar- 
ations to  receive  them — We  are  all  ordered  to  parade  this 
evening  at  four  oclock  with  plenty  of  ammunition  and  we  will 
try  the  new  battery  this  evening  also.  Scouts  have  been  sent 
out  to  see  if  an  enemy  is  approaching  and  the  news  correct — 
It  is  said  that  Genl.  Castro  &  Flores  are  at  their  head — 

SEPT.  22.  We  have  been  engaged  for  some  days  in  the 
trial  of  private  John  Smith  1st  Drags  for  robbing  Lieut  Stone- 
mans  quarters  which  I  have  before  mentioned — He  was  brought 
into  the  court  room  this  morning  looking  very  much  immaciated 
— a  mere  shadow  of  what  he  once  was — he  has  not  recovered 
yet  from  his  wound  and  I  think  from  the  hacking  cough  he  has 
is  fast  approaching  the  grave — he  plead  guilty  to  all  the  charges 
brought  against  him — 

[Nov  the  9th  Received  the  news  of  the  City  of  Mexico 
being  taken] 

NOV.  24.  I  was  on  guard  some  days  ago  and  was  obliged 
to  put  private  Van  Beck  under  arrest.  He  has  a  wife  here  and 
she  was  furious  on  hearing  of  it.  She  had  always  done  my 
washing,  and  we  were  on  the  best  of  terms  As  soon  as  she 
heard  of  the  arrest,  she  started  for  the  guard  house  with  a  pot 
of  hot  coffee  determined  to  throw  it  in  my  face,  but  meeting 
Lieut  Bonnycastle,  she  told  him  what  she  was  going  to  do. 
He  begged  her  not  to  do  it,  for  said  he,  "Madame,  Lieut  H  is 
a  very  diffident  young  man,  and  you  will  frighten  him  to 
death."  She  then  went  to  the  Col  and  told  him,  of  her  resolu- 
tion. He  advised  her  not  and  told  her  to  take  care  what  she 
did.  She  said  Col.  I  thought  you  were  more  of  a  gentleman 
than  to  permit  Lieut  H.  to  put  my  husband  under  arrest.  She 
then  came  to  the  Guard  house  and  commenced  abusing  me  at 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  35 


a  high  rate  asked  me  if  I  thought  she  had  nothing  to  do  but  to 
bring  her  husbands  breakfast  up  there  and  said  she  had  left  all 
my  clothes  hanging  on  the  line  and  that  she  prayed  to  God 
that  they  might  all  be  stolen.  I  was  all  smiles  and  bows,  told 
her  that  I  regretted  very  much  my  having  given  her  the 
smallest  trouble  that  I  was  sorry  that  I  had  been  obliged  to 
punish  her  better  half  and  begged  her  not  to  let  any  one  steal 
my  clothes  She  did  not  throw  the  Coffee  in  my  face  but  gave 
it  to  her  husband  to  drink  It  was  well  she  did  so  for  had 
she  done  other  wise  I  should  have  put  her  in  one  of  the  dark 
cells  of  the  guard  house !  It  created  a  great  laugh  at  the  mess 
table,  at  my  expense. 

NOV.  27.  There  was  great  excitement  in  Town  last  night 
in  consequence  of  a  gun  being  fired  in  the  street  There  was 
several  amusing  things  took  place  during  the  alarm.  Lieut 
Bonnycastle  was  paying  a  visit  at  Mrs  Flores  when  the  alarm 
was  given  he  heard  the  drum  roll  and  at  the  same  time  their 
came  a  rap  at  the  door  Mrs.  Flores  exclaimed  very  gravely 
You  are  a  prisoner  sir.  Lieut  B  sprung  up  from  his  seat  and 
said  in  English  No  not  by  a  damn  sight  but  at  the  sametime 
shewing  by  his  manner  and  looking  on  all  sides  for  some  way 
of  escape  that  he  thought  he  was.  Mrs.  F.  laughed  heartily  at 
him,  and  we  have  all  plagued  him  to  death  ever  since. 

DEC.  4.  Every  thing  is  quiet  though  I  think  that  the 
country  is  in  a  very  unsettled  state,  things  will  not  be  so 
long    their  must  be  a  change. 

DEC.  8.  We  had  a  row  in  the  square  yesterday.  There 
was  quite  a  fight  between  the  dragoons  and  some  Californians 
The  Colonel  was  their  with  a  file  of  the  guard  and  arrested 
several  Spaniards  and  some  of  the  soldiers,  they  were  all  put 
in  the  guard  house  in  the  cells. .  I  went  to  see  the  Colonel  this 
morning  to  get  a  leave  of  absence  for  a  few  hours  to  go  to  the 
mission.  He  refused  me.  I  shall  not  ask  him  again,  it  was 
the  first  favour  that  I  ever  asked  of  him.  he  never  gave  me  a 
days  leave  of  absence  in  my  life. 

I  was  at  Mrs  Stearns  a  few  nights  ago  and  had  a  little 
quarrel  with  my  sweetheart.  She  asked  me  to  sit  down  in  a 
chair  by  her,  but  I  told  her  that  I  was  afraid  of  Capt  Smith, 
who  I  made  out  to  be  very  jealous  of  as  he  had  been  paying 
some  attention  to  her  she  seemed  much  hurt  at  my  refuseing  to 
sit  down  along  side  of  her  and  told  me  if  I  was  afraid  to  take 


36      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


the  seat,  that  I  ought  to  have  my  shoulder  straps  cut  off  and 
my  mustaches.  I  then  took  the  seat  and  told  her  it  was  an 
insult  to  an  officer  to  tell  him  his  straps  should  be  cut  off.  She 
said  not  as  great  an  insult  as  to  plague  me  about  a  married 
man.  I  made  up  with  her  before  I  left  that  evening  We  have 
been  friends  ever  since.  She  has  been  very  sick.  Dr  Griffin 
has  been  trying  to  cure  her  eyes  that  a  quack  has  nearly  put 
out.  I  went  to  see  her  last  evening  and  was  sitting  at  the 
window  when  her  mother  came  in.  she  didnot  seem  to  like 
my  being  their  talking  to  her  daughter  poor  girl,  she  does  not 
know  that  she  has  a  god  or  that  she  has  a  soul  to  be  saved. 
She  has  a  drunken  Father  and  her  Mother  is  the  worst  of 
woman. 

[Dec.  the  9th  The  Guard  House  was  blown  up.  4  men 
killed  and  a  number  wounded.] 

DEC.  9.  I  have  not  yet  given  an  account  of  the  explosion 
of  the  magazine  at  the  Guard  house — It  has  cast  a  gloom  over 
us  all,  so  many  of  our  brave  fellows  have  gone  to  there  last 
home — It  was  an  awful  sight  and  I  will  give  a  detail  of  the 
proceedings  of  that  evening  as  well  as  I  can  recollect  them — 
We  had  been  informed  by  our  friends  in  the  town  that  we 
were  to  be  attacked  that  ni^ht  and  every  preperation  was  made 
by  us  to  give  them  (the  Californians)  a  warm  reception  and  as 
night  came  on  I  could  not  but  feel  anxious  and  at  12  oclock 
I  put  on  my  side  arms  and  in  company  with  Capt  S  patrolled 
the  town  but  found  all  quiet  We  met  the  Sargent  of  the  guard 
going  round  with  his  patrol  to  see  if  all  was  right — He  stopped 
us  to  ascertain  who  we  were — It  was  a  Sargent  of  my  own 
company  he  made  the  salute  in  a  very  polite  manner  as  soon 
as  he  discovered  we  were  his  ofhciers  I  had  not  returned  to 
quarters  long  before  I  went  to  bed  and  was  awakened  from  a 
sound  sleep  by  a  loud  explosion  I  was  soon  dressed  and  then 
heard  the  drum  beating  the  alarm — I  slept  in  the  same  house 
with  Captn  S —  Lieut  M  and  one  Soldier — We  heard  horses 
moving  around  the  house  and  the  first  impression  was  that  we 
were  surrounded  but  as  we  were  well  armed  we  passed  out  at 
the  back  door  into  the  yard  and  I  opened  the  gate  supposing 
we  should  have  to  fight  our  way  through  them  but  no  enemy 
was  in  sight  and  we  hurried  to  the  barracks — There  we  learnt 
that  a  musket  had  been  fired  at  the  out  posts  and  the  guard  had 
run  in — the  magazine  had  been  opened  to  man  the  battery 
when  a  spark  from  a  post  fire  fell  in  it  and  the  explosion  took 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  37 


place  A  number  of  men  were  hurt  and  some  killed — some  lost 
their  eyes — The  officier  of  the  guard  had  a  narrow  escape,  he 
was  knocked  down  but  soon  recovered — But  a  small  portion  of 
the  guard  house  was  left  standing — The  Californians  are  much 
delighted  at  our  misfortune — We  buried  our  poor  fellows  a  few 
days  ago — 

DEC.  13.  We  experienced  a  severe  shock  from  an  earth 
quake  here  last  night  at  eight  oclock  and  another  this  morning 
at  day  light — It  shook  me  in  my  bed  and  made  us  all  a  little 
nervous — it  was  so  soon  after  our  gunpowder  explosion — How 
much  I  miss  poor  Sargent  Travers — he  was  a  fine  soldier  and 
the  only  man  I  ever  could  get  to  feel  the  responsibility  of  his 
situation  when  on  guard — poor  fellow  he  has  mounted  his  last — 

DEC.  15.  Lieut  Davidson  and  Kit  Carson  returned  from  a 
scouting  expedition  to  meet  a  body  of  mexicans  that  were  com- 
ing into  the  Country  to  sell  their  goods, — they  had  but  few 
arms  and  were  friends  to  our  cause — 

DEC.  17.  I  have  again  had  a  long  talk  with  Kit  Carson — 
He  dined  with  me  to  day  He  spoke  of  the  different  expedi- 
tions that  he  went  on  with  Fremont  and  gave  me  many  particu- 
lars of  those  trips — the  hardships  and  difficulties  that  Fremont 
has  never  mentioned  He  said  The  government  can  never 
repay  me  for  my  trouble.  He  has  promised  to  visit  me  when 
he  returns  to  the  united  states — I  hope  that  something  may 
turn  up  so  that  I  may  return  with  him — 

DEC.  27.  Carson  called  on  me  to  day — I  had  a  long  talk 
with  him,  he  told  me  of  his  being  captured  at  the  Cars  by  Mrs 
Fremont  and  Carried  off  to  Col  Benton's  and  also  his  first  entry 
in  a  room  filled  with  ladies  he  said  he  never  was  so  fright- 
ened in  his  life — Yes  the  hero  of  a  hundred  fights  was  scared 
at  a  room  filled  with  ladies 

DEC.  28.  Lieut  Davidson  gave  a  party  last  night — I  had 
been  there  but  a  few  moments  when  I  was  ordered  to  the  com- 
mand of  the  guard  by  Coin  S-  I  went  to  the  guard  house  and 
found  that  the  officier  of  the  guard  had  been  placed  under 
arrest  for  getting  drunk  and  raising  the  devil  generally — I  had 
been  there  but  a  few  moments  when  I  heard  a  great  noise  in 
the  street  and  was  informed  that  Lieut  V—  was  drunk  and 
trying  to  break  into  a  store  I  then  received  orders  from  the 
officier  of  the  day  to  arrest  him — I  proceeded  to  do  so,  found 


38      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


him  full  of  fight,  knocked  him  down  and  had  a  general  row 
with  him — The  Coin  came  up  in  the  midst  of  it  and  ordered 
me  to  take  him  to  the  guard  house  at  the  same  time  ordering 
him  to  be  quiet — He  behaved  very  badly  and  tried  hard  to 
throw  the  Sargent  of  the  guard  down — when  he  got  half  way 
to  the  guard  house — he  said  if  we  would  let  him  go  he  would 
walk — He  then  walked  to  the  guard  house  very  quietly  but 
gave  much  trouble  during  the  night  being  very  noisy — He  was 
sent  to  his  quarters  in  the  morning  by  the  officier  of  the  day 
but  did  not  remain  in  them  as  he  broke  his  arrest  and  got  drunk 
again  and  was  sent  again  to  the  guard  house  this  morning  and 
is  there  at  present — 

JAN.  1,  1848.  I  was  at  the  ball  last  night  given  by  Col 
Stevenson — He  was  very  polite  to  all  and  it  was  the  most  ele- 
gant affair  I  have  ever  seen  in  California — the  supper  splendid 
the  people  here  had  never  seen  the  like  before  There  was 
much  beauty  in  the  room — I  could  but  regret  that  I  could  not 
waltz  and  enjoy  myself  as  others — I  however  kept  sober  and 
that  was  more  than  most  did — Mrs  Flores  was  one  of  the  belles 
of  the  evening — her  sister  also  was  much  admired  and  bids  fair 
to  become  the  belle  of  California — I  will  now  make  a  halt  and 
write  to  my  Dear  Mother  how  I  have  spent  my  Christmas — 

JAN.  2.  I  had  forgotten  to  mention  that  the  day  we  dined 
with  Col  S-  he  bid  us  all  welcome  to  his  table  in  a  short  but 
beautiful  address — I  can  only  recollect  part  of  it — He  said  this 
is  the  day  the  battle  of  Bunkers  Hill  was  fought  and  on  that 
day  I  lost  a  grandfather — he  was  among  the  dead  of  that  glori- 
ous fight  and  on  this  day  forty  nine  years  ago  my  father  was 
tied  up  and  flogged  on  board  of  a  British  man  of  war  for 
refusing  to  touch  off  a  gun  that  was  to  fire  at  the  flag  of  his 
Country — The  Colonel  spoke  for  some  minutes  in  a  clear  tone 
and  eloquently — as  he  set  down  he  gave  the  toast  of  our  friends 
at  home — There  was  none  who  did  not  drink  that  God  grant 
we  may  spend  our  next  new  year  among  them  

FREMONT.  MASON  AND  KEARNY 

I  will  now  give  an  account  of  Coin  Fremonts  proceedings  out  here 
as  well  as  the  difficulty  he  had  with  Col  Mason — I  will  give  the  particu- 
lars as  I  have  heard  them  from  those  who  were  present.  Fremont 
while  in  command  of  this  country  ruled  like  a  despot  and  with  an  iron 
arm — He  had  a  band  of  men  with  him  of  the  lowest  grade  and  worst 
of  characters  and  permitted  acts  of  cruelty  and  injustice  to  be  com- 
mitted that  will  ever  be  a  stain  on  the  character  of  the  american 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  39 


soldier  in  California — Genl  Kearney  in  speaking  of  one  of  his  acts — 
says  it  was  murder  cold  blooded  murder — that  he  (Fremont)  knew  it 
and  could  have  prevented  it  and  the  stigma  will  rest  not  only  with 
Coin  Fremont  but  on  us  all  and  be  a  stain  on  our  national  honour — 
His  unwillingness  to  yield  his  command  up  to  any  one,  shews  he  had 
other  thoughts  or  views  than  serving  his  country — It  is  said  by  some 
that  had  not  the  war  broken  out  with  Mexico  Freemont  would  have 
attempted  to  have  established  and  independent  government  and  the 
raising  of  the  "Bear"  flag  was  the  beginning  of  it — 

The  difficulty  with  Coin  Mason  was  caused  by  his  refusing  to  let 
Coin  M's  orderly  come  into  his  quarters  with  a  message  to  him.  Col 
Mason  sent  his  orderly  to  Fremont  requesting  to  see  him  at  his  quar- 
ters— he  refused  to  permit  him  to  come  in  but  at  the  same  time  sent 
some  message  back — Coin  Mason  then  sent  an  officier  for  him — who 
after  much  difficulty  was  permitted  at  last  to  deliver  his  message  or 
order  to  Fremont  personally,  requiring  his  attendance  at  Mason's  quar- 
ters— Fremont  then  obeyed  the  order  and  the  following  conversation 
took  place — 

Coin  M  said — Sir  when  I  send  for  an  officier  whom  I  rank  and 
command  I  expect  him  to  obey  me — Why  did  you  not  come  Sir  when 
I  sent  for  you — I  have  a  mind  to  put  you  under  arrest  Sir — Col  F 
replied  my  business  was  closed  with  you  Sir  was  my  reason  for  not 
comeing — Col  Mason  immediately  said — I  want  none  of  your  insolence 
Sir — Col  Fremont,  that  is  a  term  applied  to  a  menial  Sir  and  I  hope 
you  will  wave  your  rank  and  give  me  an  opportunity  to  wipe  it  out — 
Col  M  answered  within  the  hour  Sir — at  the  same  time  telling  him 
that  double  barrel  shot  guns  must  be  the  weapons — some  delay  how- 
ever occurred  in  sending  the  challenge  and  Mason  had  time  to  think 
of  what  he  was  doing  and  he  sent  a  letter  to  Fremont  asking  that  it 
might  be  put  off  for  a  while  which  arrangement  Fremont  consented  to 
Commodores  Stockton  &  Biddle  advised  Mason  not  to  fight  Fremont — 
he  says  now  he  will  not  untill  he  gets  to  the  United  States 

An  important  event  has  taken-  place — There  has  been  a 
duel  between  my  friend  Lieut  B  and  a  citizen  of  this  place — 
It  has  caused  a  wide  breach  between  the  citizens  &  officiers  and 
it  is  much  feared  will  lead  to  more — Lieut  B  was  wounded  in 
both  hands  his  adversaries  ball  also  cutting  off  the  little  finger 
of  his  left  hand — I  cannot  describe  my  feelings  on  walking  into 
my  friends  quarters  on  that  morning  and  seeing  him  lying  all 
bloody  on  the  bed  with  the  officiers  all  around  him — I  felt  very 
angry  and  could  but  say — had  he  killed  you  there  would  have 
been  another  duel — 

Col  Burton  has  had  another  fight  at  La  Paz  and  given  the 
Mexicans  a  sound  thrashing — Capt  Steel  and  Nagle  have  dis- 
tinguished themselves — the  latter  is  now  under  arrest  by  order 
of  Col  Mason  for  shooting  two  prisoners  that  were  taken  in 


40      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLL1NGSWORTH 


fight — Capt  Nagle's  conduct  has  been  disaproved  of  by  all — 
in  fact  his  whole  course  since  he  has  been  in  California  has 
been  marked  by  cold  blooded  acts  of  cruelty — 

JAN.  30.  I  was  on  guard — It  was  Sunday  and  crouds  of 
persons  were  walking  on  the  heights,  the  day  was  beautiful, 
our  band  was  present  playing  some  beautiful  airs  I  had  a  visit 
from  a  number  of  ladies  among  whom  was  the  fair  Isadora — I 
invited  them  in  to  the  guard  room  and  shewed  them  all  the 
attention  I  could  

FEB.  10.  There  was  a  splendid  ball  given  last  night  at 
the  Mellis's8 — He  was  very  particular  in  his  invitations  

FEB.  13.  We  received  the  news  that  one  thousand  men 
were  wanted  at  Mazatlan  to  Garrison  the  places  our  navy  had 
taken  possession  of — This  news  was  hailed  with  Joy  by  our 
Regiment  as  we  thought  we  had  the  best  right  to  go  and  were 
much  disapointed  to  hear  that  Governor  Mason  had  sent  Major 
Hardy  to  Oregon  for  a  battalion  of  Mormons  to  go  down — and 
Lieut  Warner  was  dispatched  to  the  Salt  Lake  for  the  same 
purpose — we  all  think  the  mormons  will  not  go  but  will  have 
no  objection  to  Garrison  this  place  while  we  go — Should  we 
have  the  good  fortune  to  go  we  _all  think  it  is  a  step  nearer 
home — 

[Febry  19th  Received  appointment  of  A.  A.  A.  of  this 
Post.] 

FEB.  29.  Left  Los  Angeles  for  Santa  Barbara  I  was 
ordered  by  Col  Mason  on  a  courtmartial — left  on  Saturday 
morning  with  18  horses  and  reached  there  on  Sunday  night  a 
distance  of  120  mile — staid  one  week  at  Santa  B — was  three 
days  getting  back — slept  in  the  woods  all  night,  wolves  howling 
all  around  me  could  not  sleep,  hunted  about  in  the  dark  for 
water,  found  a  mud  puddle  at  last  drank  heartily — had  nothing 
to  eat — 

[March  8th    Returned  from  Santa  Barbara.] 

[March  17th    Recruits  arrived  from  New  York.] 

MAR.  27.    Placed  on  guard,  had  not  been  on  long  when  I 

8 — Henry  Melius.  From  this  mention  of  Melius  it  appears  that 
Melius  was  living  in  Los  Angeles  at  this  time.  He  was  married  in 
1847  to  Anita,  the  daughter  of  James  Johnson,  in  Los  Angeles. 
It  may  be  that  Mrs.  Howard  was  stopping  at  his  house  at  this 
time. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  41 


received  orders  to  report  myself  to  the  commanding  ofRcier 
Captn  Smith  1st  Drag  the  Coin  being  absent — which  order  I 
obeyed  immediately  and  received  orders  to  proceed  to  San 
Gabriel  with  a  party  of  12  dragoons  to  assist  the  Alcalde  of 
that  place  to  arrest  some  horse  thieves  We  proceeded  at  a 
rapid  rate  but  the  birds  had  flown — It  was  my  first  expedition 
with  dragoons  and  as  I  am  a  volunteer  ofhcier,  considered  it  a 
compliment — I  had  also  an  opportunity  of  seeing  a  beautiful 
part  of  the  country  and  we  paid  a  long  visit  at  Mr  Reads  who 
gave  us  a  fine  dinner  and  I  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the 
fair  Dona  Maria9 — she  was  very  polite  and  gave  me  a  splendid 
orange — I  tried  hard  to  make  friends  with  them  all  and  I  think 
my  fine  charger  dressed  off  in  dragoon  trappings  and  the  mili- 
tary appearance  of  the  rider  made  quite  an  impression  on  the 
fair  flower  of  San  Gabriel 

I  will  now  give  my  readers  an  account  of  a  ride  I  took  a 
few  days  before  I  went  on  this  expedition — I  was  riding  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  Mission  when  I  came  to  a  beautiful  lake 
and  proceeding  a  little  further  came  to  a  high  doby  wall  which 
enclosed  a  beautiful  garden — I  was  much  surprized  on  entering 
the  gate  to  find  my  friends  of  the  mission  living  there — It  was 
Mr  Reed's  country  seat  and  vinyard  and  he  was  there  spending 
a  few  days  with  his  family — I  need  only  say  I  was  heartily 
welcomed  and  the  old  fellow  went  through  the  grounds  with 
me  and  shewed  me  every  thing — In  one  corner  of  the  garden 
there  were  some  beautiful  flower  beds  he  told  me  they  belonged 
to  his  daughter — they  were  laid  off  with  taste  and  in  borders 
like  those  I  used  to  make  for  my  poor  sister  now  dead — As  I 
stood  and  looked  at  this  spot — thoughts  of  home  filled  my  mind 
and  I  could  but  think  of  her  in  the  cold  grave  and  of  those 
from  whom  I  was  so  far  distant — I  asked  myself  when  I  should 
see  home  again  and  walk  among  the  scenes  of  my  youth — I 
never  felt  more  sad  or  more  dispirited  than  I  did  then  since  I 
left  home — Yes  I  thought  of  home  and  of  all  those  that  are 


9 — Seiiorita  Read  (Dona  Maria).  There  is  no  indication  in  Bancroft 
as  to  what  Read  this  was,  as  no  one  of  the  known  Reads  seems 
to  have  been  in  California  long  enough  to  have  had  a  daughter,  at 
least  not  a  grown  daughter.  Probably,  however,  it  was  Hugo 
Perfecto  Reid,  who  at  this  time  must  have  been  about  forty-six 
or  forty-seven  years  old,  although  Hollingsworth  refers  to  him 
as  "old  Reed."  It  seems  that  he  was  the  owner  of  Santa  Anita, 
which  he  sold  in  1847  to  Dalton.  It  is  probably  the  Santa  Anita 
ranch  to  which  Hollingsworth  refers. 


42      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  H0LL1NGSW0RTH 


dear  to  me  and  when  I  should  see  them  again — I  trust  it  will 
not  be  long  and  that  I  shall  find  them  all  well  and  happy — 

APR.  17.  I  have  neglected  to  note  down  many  occurrences 
of  late  and  this  is  the  first  time  I  have  opened  my  journal  for 
many  days — there  is  however  but  little  stirring  Carson  is 
making  preperations  to  leave  this  country  for  the  United  States 
and  we  are  all  grumbling  at  our  hard  fate  in  not  being  per- 
mitted to  go  with  him — We  have  parades  every  day,  duty  is 
harder  now  than  ever — the  battalion  paraded  in  white  pants 
this  morning  in  the  publick  square  and  looked  well 

[May  3rd    Lieut  Carson  left  for  the  U.  S.] 

MAY  13.  I  took  a  ride  with  my  friend  Dona  Arcadia 
Sterns  to  day — It  was  a  lovely  afternoon  and  I  have  seldom 
spent  so  pleasant  a  time — I  have  many  fears  that  were  it  not 
for  that  hateful  incumbrance  of  a  husband  she  has  I  should 
never  leave  California !  He  was  along  with  [us]  last  evening 
kept  close  to  her  side  but  he  need  not  have  been  jealous  of 
me — I  did  not  know  when  I  went  to  ride  with  her  that  a  large 
party  were  going — I  have  never  attempted  any  puppyism  with 
her  and  never  will — 

Nothing  of  consequence  has  taken  place  here  I  am  acting 
adjutant  of  the  Regiment  and  had  a  fine  parade  this  morning — 
the  men  looked  well,  particularly  the  dragoons,  who  were  dis- 
mounted and  acted  as  infantry  on  the  occasion — I  leave  here 
in  a  few  days  for  Santa  Iago  on  a  visit  of  pleasure  in  company 
with  Capt  Smith,  1st  Drag  and  Lieut  Davidson  same  corps 
They  go  to  visit  the  battle  ground  of  Pas  San  Quail  for  the 
purpose  of  having  the  bodies  of  the  officiers  who  fell  there 
removed  to  a  better  place — 

MAY  23.  I  have  again  returned  home  after  an  absence  of 
six  days — had  a  very  pleasant  visit  to  Santa  Iago,  made  many 
pleasant  acquaintances — visited  the  battle  ground  of  San  Pas 
Quail — of  which  I  have  already  given  a  detail — I  rode  three 
hundred  mile  on  horseback  without  tiring — 

[May  30th  Received  a  letter  from  home  informing  me  of 
the  death  of  my  brother  Edward.] 

JUNE  16.  There  is  not  much  stirring — many  prisoners  in 
the  guard  house  to  day  under  my  charge — have  orders  to  shoot 
down  any  who  attempt  to  escape — There  is  one  Mormon  among 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  H0LL1NGSW0RTH  43 


them  in  irons  for  forgery — he  was  a  Lieutenant  in  the  Mormon 
Battalion  and  passed  a  large  amount  of  counterfeit  money  at 
Santa  Iago  as  american  gold — He  made  an  attempt  to  escape 
the  other  night — filed  off  his  irons  and  got  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
from  the  guard  house  before  he  was  taken — I  have  also  two 
Spaniards  from  Sonora  as  prisoners — they  are  suspected  of 
having  assisted  a  man  to  escape  from  the  town  who  had  just 
stabbed  a  soldier  in  three  places — whose  life  is  now  despaired  of 

[June  27th  Received  letters  from  home  urging  my  return 
to  the  U.  S.] 

JUNE  27.  I  visited  the  Garden  of  my  friend  Read  and  had 
the  pleasure  of  seeing  my  fair  friend  whom  I  have  mentioned 
on  the  leaves  of  this  Journal — She  seemed  much  pleased  to  see 
me  and  gave  me  some  very  fine  fruit  Dr  Murray  arrived  at 
this  post  a  few  days  ago — We  were  all  much  pleased  to  see 
him — he  has  left  this  morning  with  quite  a  large  party  to  visit 
my  friends  at  the  Mission — 

JUNE  30.  Nothing  of  any  consequence  going  on  Col  S 
still  at  Santa  Barbara — heard  from  him  this  morning,  he  sent 
for  the  band  and  intends  spending  the  4th  July  at  that  place 
— We  had  a  beautiful  parade  this  morning  I  was  not  on  the 
ground  being  officier  of  the  Guard — A  Theatre  is  to  open  here 
on  the  fourth  of  July — We  shall  have  some  fine  acting — I  often 
wile  away  an  evening  at  it — 

JULY  5.  The  glorious  fourth  has  past  and  without  an 
accident  of  any  consequence  with  one  exception — It  was  the 
running  away  of  the  horses  attached  to  the  battery — two  of 
the  men  were  hurt — The  celebration  passed  off  very  well  with 
that  exception — The  men  gave  a  handsome  ball  and  the  Officiers 
another  at  the  Coins  quarters — I  did  not  go  to  either  as  I  had 
not  the  money  to  subscribe  and  did  not  care  about  going  on  an 
invitation — 

JULY  6.  Two  officiers  arrived  here  from  Monterey  placed 
under  arrest  by  Col  Burton  for  gambling  with  soldiers — Col 
Mason  thought  it  best  to  release  and  send  them  to  this  post  to 
report  to  Col  S  for  duty — untill  the  proper  witnesses  arrived 
from  La  Paz — They  arrived  here  last  evening  and  were  particu- 
lar in  seeking  out  Lieut  Bon  and  myself  to  call  on  us  as 

soon  as  they  arrived — though  strangers  to  both — having  had  no 
intercourse  since  we  left  New  York — I  informed  them  that  when 


44      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


I  wished  to  see  them  I  would  call  on  them.  Lieut  B  told  them 
the  same — they  are  worthless  fellows. 

JULY  8.  I  paid  a  visit  to  Mrs  H  this  morning — She  is 
the  wife  of  an  American  She  was  born  in  the  Sandwich  Islands 
and  is  the  daughter  of  a  Minister  but  educated  in  the  United 
States.  She  related  to  me  an  occurrence  of  her  life  in  which 
she  lost  a  very  dear  friend — It  was  this — after  her  return  from 
the  United  States  she  was  one  evening  in  a  fishing  boat  with 
her  father  and  a  beautiful  young  female  friend — her  father  had 
told  them  both  to  take  their  floating  boards  with  them — 
these  boards  are  used  in  the  Islands  to  float  on  the  surf — 
They  had  got  some  distance  from  the  shore  when  the  boat  upset 
and  they  were  obliged  to  cling  to  their  floating  boards  for  life — 
They  immediately  made  for  the  shore  and  had  nearly  reached 
it  when  she  heard  a  scream  and  on  looking  around  saw  her 
friend  drawn  under  the  water  by  a  shark  while  she  herself  was 
soon  thrown  upon  the  shore  by  the  waves  half  dead  from 
fright— 

JULY  10.  I  mounted  guard  this  morning  or  rather  had 
command  of  the  Guard — We  have  had  a  funeral  every  evening 
for  three  days — two  of  the  men  were  killed  in  the  night  by  no 
one  knows  who — the  last  one  a  dragoon — I  have  two  indian 
women  in  the  guard  house  who  are  witnesses  in  the  case — one 
is  a  very  interesting  woman  and  has  a  lovely  white  infant — 
a  sargent  told  me  this  morning  that  it  was  his  child  and  woman 
I  wish  they  were  not  prisoners  for  I  have  no  proper  place  to 
put  them  in  and  have  to  lock  them  up  in  one  of  the  cells — 

[July  18"  The  news  of  the  wealth  of  the  Gold  region 
reached  here] 

JULY  18.  Went  to  work  to  day  and  settled  every  bill  and 
am  glad  to  be  able  to  say  out  of  debt,  but  for  the  first  time 
since  I  left  home  without  money ! — It  would  be  unfortunate  for 
me  to  be  disbanded  at  this  time  for  I  should  not  then  have  the 
smallest  chance  of  returning  home — My  life  has  been  prosperous 
so  far  since  I  reached  here  &  I  hope  a  dark  cloud  is  not  gath- 
ering over  me — Things  appear  to  be  getting  gloomy  at  this 
post — Our  men  are  deserting  rapidly  they  have  been  paid  off 
and  the  news  of  the  immense  quantities  of  gold  that  is  found 
in  the  mining  district  is  a  great  inducement  for  them  to  desert — 
We  have  lost  eight  men  from  one  company  and  a  rush  was 
made  yesterday  bv  the  prisoners  and  three  of  them  escaped — 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  45 


they  were  closely  pursued  by  the  guard  and  fired  at  but  mount- 
ing horses  that  were  waiting  for  them  they  got  off  with  their 
irons  on — Lieut  Davidson  and  Williams  have  been  dispatched 
with  a  party  of  dragoons  to  take  them  alive  or  dead  There  is 
great  excitement  among  the  Men — we  much  fear  that  many 
more  will  go  and  we  need  every  man — Don  Pio  Pico  has  arrived 
from  Mexico  and  claims  the  right  of  Governor  of  California — 
He  has  refused  to  report  to  Col  Stevenson  and  Lieut  Bonny- 
castle  was  sent  last  night  to  arrest  him  as  a  spy  but  failed  to 
find  him — He  however  (Pico)  sent  word  early  this  morning 
that  he  would  give  himself  up  to  day — If  he  does  not  I  expect 
to  be  sent  to  the  Mission  to  day  to  arrest  him  as  I  understand 
he  is  there 

There  is  no  officier  in  command  of  the  dragoons  and  unless 
Lieut  D  returns  to  night  I  shall  be  assigned  to  duty  with  that 
Corps — I  live  in  the  barracks  with  them  now  having  charge  of 
the  public  funds  It  is  a  post  of  great  responsibility  for  the 
Calafornians  are  more  disposed  for  a  revolt  now  than  they  ever 
have  been — Pico  is  stirring  them  up  and  the  Sonorians  have 
sworn  to  attack  the  barracks  and  take  the  Iron  chest  that 
belongs  to  the  Government  They  shall  have  a  hard  fight  for 
it  for  I  have  it  now  safe  in  the  room  with  me — 

Things  look  still  more  gloomy  this  morning  we  fear  many 
more  desertions  will  take  place — Mr  Vermule10  was  arrested 
last  night — We  think  he  has  been  tampering  with  the  men — 
His  object  has  been  to  injure  the  Regiment  all  he  could  and 
raise  a  party  for  the  gold  mines — These  mines  will  be  the  ruin 
of  the  Country  as  thousands  of  men  are  at  work  there  now 
nearly  in  a  state  of  starvation 

Rode  to  the  Mission  of  San  Gabriel  yesterday  with  Dr 
Murray11 — He  was  much  pleased  with  his  visit  and  with  my 
fair  friend  whom  I  have  so  often  mentioned  on  the  former  pages 
of  my  journal — She  was  at  home  alone  and  gave  us  some  fine 
fruit — And  I  received  last  night  a  fine  basket  of  fruit  from  her 
— I  invited  all  of  the  officiers  to  share  them  with  me — 

[July  24"  I  was  sent  with  a  detail  of  Dragoons  to  the 
Mountains  in  pursuit  of  Deserters.] 

JULY  24.    I  have  been  on  an  expedition  among  the  moun- 

10 —  Vermeule.  A  Lieutenant  in  Company  E  of  the  Volunteers,  after- 
wards a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Convention,  and  remained  in 
California.    Died  in  San  Jose  before  1867. 

11 —  Dr.  Robert  Murray,  assistant  surgeon  with  the  Volunteers. 


46      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


tains  after  deserters  I  was  not  successful — I  spent  many  days 
in  an  encampment  among  the  mountains — Had  nothing  to  eat 
while  gone  but  meat  and  was  very  glad  to  get  back — 

JULY  27.  Not  much  stirring  in  town  a  fine  ball  was 
given  by  the  men  last  night  at  the  Theatre — some  of  the 
officiers  went  I  did  not — The  alcalde  had  a  mexican  officier 
arrested  this  morning  and  taken  to  the  Guard  house  for  disre- 
pect  in  Court — It  was  a  proceeding  I  disaproved  of  very  much 
I  fear  they  will  put  him  in  the  stocks — It  is  all  wrong  he  should 
have  been  fined  only — 

JULY  28.  An  order  has  arrived  from  Col  Mason  directing 
Sergeant  Falls  to  proceed  to  the  United  States  immediately  as 
bearer  of  dispatches — This  selection  of  Col  Masons  has  aston- 
ished every  one  and  much  indignation  was  expressed  that  one 
from  the  ranks  should  be  preferred  before  an  officier — The 
Sargent  was  making  his  preperations  when  becoming  so  elated 
at  his  good  fortune — he  got  very  drunk  and  caused  a  mutiny 
among  the  men  and  will  be  tried  by  a  court  martial  tomorrow 
who  will  go  now  I  do  not  know — 

AUG.  2.  The  gold  fever  is  raging  now  and  there  is  a 
great  disposition  to  desert  among  the  men  and  much  disatis- 
faction — I  fear  it  is  increasing  daily — We  have  been  under  such 
a  high  state  of  discipline  for  so  long  a  time  that  the  news  of 
peace  has  made  the  men  the  more  impatient  to  be  discharged — 

AUG.  4.  The  mail  has  arrived  from  above  Col  Mason 
has  sent  an  order  for  Lieut  S  of  the  dragoons  to  proceed  with 
a  party  and  one  volunteer  officier  to  the  gold  region — The  post 
of  second  in  command  was  offered  to  me  but  I  declined  it  after 
much  reflection — I  thought  it  would  be  imprudent  in  my  going 
at  this  sickly  season  of  the  year  into  that  district — They  have 
the  privilege  of  working  as  much  as  they  please  and  I  must 
confess  I  never  was  more  tempted  in  my  life  and  hope  I  shall 
not  regret  that  I  did  not  embrace  the  opportunity  of  visiting 
the  gold  regions  for  I  need  all  the  money  I  can  raise — I  have 
paid  my  debts  and  owe  no  man  anything  but  must  say  I  have 
very  little  money  left — God  only  knows  how  I  am  to  get  home ! 

AUG.  8.  I  went  out  to  the  mission  we  spent  the  day 
there  with  Mr  Hutton,12  he  took  some  sketches  of  the  place 

12 — William  Hutton.  No  notice  of  Hutton  in  Bancroft.  He  went  to 
San  Gabriel  with  Hollingsworth.  August  8,  where  he  made  the 
sketches  of  the  Mission  and  probably  others  that  are  in  the  diary. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  47 


and  we  had  some  fine  fruit  to  eat, — I  have  been  regretting  very 
much  my  not  having  gone  to  the  gold  region  I  fear  it  has  been 
a  mistake  of  mine  but  I  trust  that  God  will  guide  and  council 
me  in  all  things — If  we  are  disbanded  soon,  I  can  never  see 
home  again  my  debts  are  all  paid,  but  I  have  not  more  than 
50  dollars  left !  I  cannot  go  home  on  that,  when  mules  are 
selling  for  $100  a  piece.  I  had  bought  four  some  time  ago  when 
they  were  cheap  and  on  the  day  I  sent  for,  and  to  pay  for 
them — some  one  had  offered  more  for  them  and  they  were 
sold — 

AUG.  9.  I  bought  a  wild  mule  last  night  he  got  away 
from  me  this  morning — Major  Ritch  left  here  this  morning  for 
San  Pedro,  he  will  leave  that  place  this  afternoon  for  Monterey. 

AUG.  10.  I  asked  to  day  for  leave  of  absence  from  the 
post  for  a  day — it  was  refused  me  I  did  not  want  to  be 
excused  from  duty  for  I  was  not  on  duty  but  I  have  never  had 
one  days  leave  of  absence  yet,  without  some  hesitation  on  the 
part  of  Col  S-  my  object  in  getting  leave  of  absence  was  to  go 
in  the  country  some  miles  to  purchase  mules  to  go  home  on 
but  as  usual  I  have  had  bad  luck — I  have  had  nothing  else  of 
late — I  thought  things  would  not  go  on  so  fair  for  me  much 
longer — Things  appear  dark  for  me  now,  darker  than  they  have 
ever  been  before — 

AUG.  11.  I  rode  last  night  in  company  with  Dr  Murray 
out  to  the  encampment  of  the  engineering  party  of  Lieut  War- 
ner— It  was  a  beautiful  night  and  we  had  a  fine  gallop  by 
moonlight  and  got  some  fine  fruit  at  the  encampment 

AUG.  13.  But  little  stirring  here — some  talk  of  another 
revolution — weather  warm — nearly  every  one  has  left  for  the 
gold  mines — I  have  some  thoughts  myself  of  leaving  as  soon 
as  possible 

AUG.  14.  Lieut  Davidson  left  here  a  few  days  ago  on  a 
secret  expedition  the  order  was  from  Coin  Mason — He  left  in 
the  night  and  to  the  surprize  of  all  made  his  men  dress  them- 
selves in  their  best  uniform — He  made  his  appearance  here 
again  this  morning  having  as  prisoner  Don  Pico  the  former 
Governor  of  California — He  is  confined  in  the  house  of  Col 
Stevenson  and  I  believe  is  to  be  sent  as  a  prisoner  to  Monterey 
— We  have  been  engaged  all  day  in  trying  deserters  The  court 
sat  in  my  quarters — Col  S  is  the  president  of  the  court — Coin 


48      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


Mason  is  very  anxious  to  have  some  of  them  shot  but  he  would 
not  approve  of  shooting  regulars  and  he  will  not  get  us  to 
shoot  volunteers — I  for  one  will  not  vote  for  shooting  they 
did  not  desert  to  the  enemy  and  four  of  them  came  back  and 
delivered  themselves  up — 

[August  17"    Received  the  first  official  news  of  Peace.] 

[August  23.  Commenced  making  preparations  for  the  Gold 
mines.] 

"FAREWELL  TO  LOS  ANGELES" 

Sad  is  my  heart!  not  poor  pile  of  adobies  because  I  am  leaving 
thee,  exchanging  thy  poor  exterior  for  the  bright  looks  of  our  own 
fine  marble,  brick  and  wooden  edifices,  but  because  of  the  bright  eyes 
and  warm  hearts  of  the  sunny  smiled  maids,  your  cheerless  exterior 
hides — First  to  the  Dona  A-a  whose  innocent  laughing  mode  of 
addressing  the  "teniente  alto",  will  long  be  remembered  with  feelings 
of  mingled  Joy  and  sadness — Joy  that  I  have  ever  possessed  so  much 
of  thy  esteem  and  friendship,  sadness  that  our  lots  in  this  world  should 
have  been  cast  so  widely  apart — I  bid  a  long  a  tender  farewell,  and 
sincerely  do  I  pray  that  yours  may  be  a  life  of  happiness  uncrossed 
by  pain  or  care — Next  dear  Sn.  Isa,  but  alas  why  name  I  thee  so  soon? 
why  not  defer  to  the  last  what  I  so  much  dread  and  hate — still  like 
medicine,  in  one  bold  draught  and  all  is  o'er — to  thee  must  I  bid 
adieu — God  had  predetermined  that  our  fates  should  not  be  linked  and 
'twere  vain  by  hopes  or  wishes  endeavour  his  decree  revoke,  as  lover, 
faithful  have  I  been  to  thee,  since  first  we  met,  and  now  that  the 
mandate  has  gone  forth  which  separates  us  for  ever,  believe  me  dear 
one,  thy  image  shall  ever  hold  in  my  heart  a  foremost  place  In 
sadness  and  in  Joy,  alike,  will  I  recall  thy  sweet  and  tender  glances, 
linked  with  the  memory  of  thy  softly  lisped  endearments  and  fervently 
pray  for  your  happiness — There  remains  but  one  more  whom  I  would 
wish  to  bid  farewell  seperate  from  the  general  mass  of  my  lady  friends, 
'tis  thee  Dona  Do  .  .  es.  in  thee  saw  I  more  of  one  of  the  "Angeles  del 
Pueblo"  thy  light  and  aerial  figure,  thy  ever  ever  smiling  countenance, 
serenity  of  temper  and  confiding  trusting  love  of  one  of  my  friends  has 
endeared  you  to  myself — and  in  thus  leaving  Los  Angeles,  I  would  bid 
you  adieu  only  hoping  that  your  lot  in  this  life  may  be  such  as  that 
friend  may  depict  for  you  in  his  own  heart.  And  in  mass  to  Donas 
Fra.  Ysa.  Jsa.  and  all  the  rest  of  those  whose  sweet  smiles  and 
laughing  voices  have  aided  me  in  passing  more  than  a  year,  pleasantly 
and  happily — I  bid  farewell,  only  wishing  them  husbands  speedily,  and 
worthy  of  their  own  sweet  selves. 

J.  McH.  H.— 

[Evidently  among  the  feminine  friends  included  in  this  farewell  are 
the  following,  whose  names  Hollingsworth  has  inscribed  on  several 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  49 


pages  of  this  journal,  some  in  rather  elaborately  illuminated  letters.] 

Acadia  Stearns  Senora  Castro 

Isadora  Bandini  Senora  Dolores  Flores15 

Senora  Dalton13  Carmen  Soberanes 

Gabriela  Soberanes14  Francisca  Avila 

Senora  Melius  Josepha  Ontiveras 

Senora  Angusta  Dona  Maria  Ignacia  Reed 
Signorita  Adeleida  Johnson 

MAR.  19,  1849.  I  have  again  opened  my  journal,  after 
some  months.  Which  time  has  been  passed  in  California,  and 
in  undergoing  many  perils,  hard  ships,  ups  and  downs  of  life. 
I  will  now  try  to  take  some  note  of  how  the  time  passed  as  I 
can  best  recollect. — 


EXPERIENCES  AS  A  GOLD  FINDER 

We  left  Los  Angelos,  on  Sunday  the  18th  of  September 
1848,  but  had  not  gone  far,  when  one  of  the  carts  broke  down 
in  consequence  of  its  being  overloaded,  and  as  I  was  in  charge 
of  the  Rearguard  I  halted  by  the  side  of  it.  Lieut  Bonnycastle 
proceeded  with  the  rest  of  the  baggage.  Col  Stevenson  ordered 
the  mounted  men  with  all  the  horses  and  mules  to  return  to 
town.  I  also  returned  and  stayed  that  night  with  Dr  Griffin. 
The  cart  was  mended  by  daylight,  and  went  on  to  the  encamp- 
ment of  Lieut  Bonnycastle  and  I  returned  to  take  charge  of 
the  mounted  men.  We  were  soon  ready  and  off,  leaving  the 
city  rather  in  a  ludicrous  manner.  The  Col  was  mounted  on  a 
beautiful  horse  which  he  could  not  manage  and  as  sundry  of 
our  mules  were  getting  rid  of  their  loads,  the  Cols  horse  seemed 
anxious  to  get  rid  of  his  too.  I  soon  found  out  that  many  of 
our  party  did  not  know  how  to  ride.  Our  friends  on  all  sides 
wished  us  a  pleasant  journey,  and  we  raised  a  cloud  of  dust 
as  we  passed  through  the  town.  I  rode  by  the  side  of  Col 
Stevenson  on  my  beautiful  gray  charger  arching  his  neck  & 
stepping  proudly,  as  if  he  was  aware  of  the  white  handkerchiefs 
that  waved  to  the  rider  a  farewell  from  the  windows. 

Col  Stevenson  left  me  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town,  and 
rode  on  to  join  Lieut  B — .   He  expressed  his  wish  that  I  should 

13—  Mrs.  Dalton.  Wife  of  Henry  Dalton  and  daughter  of  A.  V. 
Zamorano. 

14 —  Gabriela  Soberanes.  The  daughter  of  Feliciano  Soberanes,  at  that 
time  owner  of  the  Soledad  ranch,  Soledad  Mission,  and  the  sister 
of  Carmen  Soberanes. 

15 —  Dolores  Flores  was  the  daughter  of  A.  V.  Zamorano  and  the  wife 
of  Jose  Maria  Flores,  at  that  time  a  general  in  the  Mexican  army. 


50      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


still  take  charge  of  the  rearguard,  with  the  baggage.  We  en- 
camped that  night  on  the  banks  of  the  River  Puebla,  and  after 
setting  a  guard  retired  to  bed,  not  however  before  I  had  taken 
a  delightful  bath  in  the  river.  A  Californian  came  into  camp 
during  the  night,  with  a  letter  from  Lieut  Davidson  informing 
us  of  the  desertion  of  a  portion  of  their  command  taking  all 
the  horses  belonging  to  the  battery,  arms  and  &. 

It  rained  this  night  and  our  blankets  were  quite  wet  in  the 
morning,  but  our  party  were  quite  cheerful  and  anxious  to  go 
on.  We  made  a  late  start  to  day  in  consequence  of  the  animals 
being  wild  and  hard  to  pack.  Our  route  lay  through  heavy 
sand  through  which  it  frequently  required  twelve  oxen  to  move 
the  carts.  We  arrived  at  the  mission  of  San  Fernando  that 
night  where  we  found  Capt  Taylors  party  waiting  for  us.  Don 
An  Pico  was  not  at  home  but  we  were  treated  very  kindly  by 
his  Maj  Domo.  We  had  some  delightful  fruit  given  to  us. 
Capt  F  [Taylor]  and  Lieut  B.  made  some  arrangements  here 
for  exploring  the  pass  of  the  San  Fernando  Mountain.  They 
spent  a  day  at  this  when  there  was  no  reason  for  delaying  a 
moment  I  having  passed  through  it  with  a  party  of  Dragoons, 
on  a  former  occasion  and  knew  the  country  well.  We  met  here 
with  a  misfortune,  both  of  our  California  vicaros  deserting  us, 
taking  with  them  a  very  valuable  horse,  and  now  for  the  first 
time  Lieut  B.  appeared  to  feel  what  a  responsibility  he  had 
undertaken.  He  did  not  ask  my  counsel  nor  did  I  offer  it,  and 
we  moved  up  into  the  [arroyo]  at  the  entrance  of  the  mountain 
pass,  where  there  was  neither  wood  or  water.  Now  commenced 
our  troubles.  We  spent  eight  days  here  getting  our  goods, 
carts,  &  &  &  over  this  mountain.  I  worked  very  hard  here, 
and  we  both  discovered  that  Col  Stevenson  had  made  a  very 
poor  selection  of  men.  They  had  lived  in  Broadway  too  long 
and  did  not  know  how  to  do  any  thing.  Rather  a  ridiculous 
affair  occurred  here  with  a  Dutchman  of  our  party 

After  getting  everything  over  I  attempted  for  the  first 
time  to  advise  Lieut  B —  but  I  thought  it  was  rather  coldly 
received  so  I  said  but  little  One  of  our  Indians  ran  away  here, 
with  a  horse.  He  was  afterwards  brought  back.  I  was  anxious 
now  to  return  to  return  to  Los  Angelos  and  try  to  get  a  vicaro 
to  help  us  to  manage  our  wild  mules,  and  after  having,  rather 
a  sharp  discussion,  with  Lieut  B —  upon  that  point  he  agreed 
that  it  was  best,  I  should  return  I  was  gone  two  days  and 
obliged  to  return  without  getting  a  vicaro,  though  I  was  prom- 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  Mc HENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  51 


ised  two  or  three.  All  my  friends  were  glad  to  see  me,  and  I 
carried  back  a  good  many  letters  to  Lieut  B.  urging  him,  not 
to  go  father  into  the  Toolaries  as  the  route  was  impassable,  but 
go  the  coast  route.  I  saw  many  who  had  been  that  route  and 
they  all  said  it  was  impractible.  On  my  return  to  camp,  I  found 
much  dissatisfaction  existing  among  the  men.  Lieut  B —  had 
very  little  to  say,  and  appeared  quite  gloomy.  Things  had  now 
come  to  a  stand  We  had  made  but  little  progress  on  our  way 
to  the  gold  region,  and  yet  we  had  broken  down  many  of  our 
animals,  one  of  which  was  my  mule,  that  had  been  overpacked 
with  flour.  We  had  gone  through  many  difficulties,  Capt  T — 
had  also  got  over  the  mountain  and  was  encamped  on  the  same 
spot  with  us. 

The  night  after  I  arrived  in  camp  from  Los  Angelos,  Capt 
T,  Lieut  B,  Lieut  W  Lieut  C  and  myself,  held  a  counsel  among 
ourselves  to  consider  what  was  best  to  be  done.  There  were 
some  warm  words  by  all  parties.  I  became  disgusted  at  the 
proceedings  and  retired  to  my  bed,  without  giving  my  opinion 
on  the  matter.  Lieut  B-  was  warmly  in  favour  of  the  Toolari 
route,  Capt  T  wanted  to  go  the  coast  route,  and  the  rest  were 
divided  I  should  have  voted  to  return  to  the  coast  In  the 
morning  our  camp  was  rather  gloomy  in  consequence  of  all 
parties  being  out  of  humour  Previous  to  this  consultation,  two 
separate  parties  had  left  our  camp  to  explore  father  in  the 
mountains,  one  headed  by  Lieut  B,  who  returned  in  a  few  hours 
without  having  done  any  thing  or  giving  any  satisfactory  reason 
why  he  had  not.  The  other  by  Lieut  W,  who  penetrated  nearly 
to  the  Toolaries,  and  reported  it  practicable  for  carts  to  pass 
with  oxen.  Capt  Taylor  now  decided  to  return  to  the  coast  and 
proceed  by  that  route  Lieut  B  after  holding  a  short  talk  with 
the  men  determined  to  go  ahead.  I  was  not  present  at  this  last 
consultation  or  I  should  have  voted  for  returning  and  even  after 
Lieut  B-  had  decided  to  go  on,  had  I  said  any  thing  to  the  men, 
they  would  have  done  any  thing  for  me.  I  was  popular  among 
them.  I  could  see  that  our  troubles  had  just  begun.  I  now 
went  ahead  with  the  advance  guard,  and  after  toiling  the  entire 
day  up  a  steep  sandy  ravine  the  night  set  in  very  dark  and  our 
guide  still  pointed  ahead  when  we  asked  for  water,  I  found 
that  it  would  be  impossible  to  go  father  that  night,  and  we 
halted  in  the  sand  and  after  placing  a  guard,  the  men  laid  down 
in  every  direction.  The  rear  guard  had  not  yet  come  up.  It 
arrived  about  midnight.    The  men  tired  out  and  all  discour- 


52      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


aged.  Lieut  B-  said  nothing  and  appeared  out  of  humour.  It 
had  been  very  warm  all  day,  but  it  now  became  excessively 
cold.  We  had  travelled  the  entire  day  without  any  water  and 
had  just  encamped  where  there  was  neither  fire  wood  water  or 
grass.  Some  of  our  men  suffered  very  much,  and  had  my 
advice  been  asked,  at  this  hour  of  the  night  I  would  have  said, 
mount,  and  return  even  with  our  tired  animals.  I  waked  early 
in  the  morning,  and  found  that  the  guard  had  all  laid  down  to 
sleep  leaving  the  animals  to  get  away.  Not  one  of  the  oxen, 
or  a  single  horse  were  to  be  seen,  except  my  noble  gray  who 
was  tied  at  my  head.  I  was  soon  in  my  saddle  leaving  the  camp 
buried  in  sleep,  returned  on  the  back  trail  at  a  hard  gallop ; 
rode  the  entire  day  without  water  or  food,  came  up  with  the 
animals  and  succeeded  in  bringing  them  all  into  camp  that 
night.  They  had  succeeded  in  getting  some  wood  and  making 
some  picket  fires,  all  around  the  camp,  placing  the  animals  in 
the  centre.  The  entire  party  were  on  guard  this  night,  Lieut  B- 
and  myself  were  moving  around  the  camp  all  night,  to  see  that 
the  men  kept  awake.  Lieut  B-  appeared  to  appreciate  my  ser- 
vices, and  for  the  first  time  we  had  some  conversation.  During 
the  night  he  told  me  that  he  had  determined  to  return  and  go 
the  coast  route.  I  told  him  I  was  delighted  to  hear  it,  and 
urged  him  to  start  early  in  the  morning,  leaving  the  carts  and 
baggage  to  follow,  pledging  myself  to  bring  them  safely  out  of 
the  [mountains.]  We  found  in  the  morning  that  all  the  oxen 
but  eight  had  gotten  past  the  pickets  in  the  night,  and  returned 
to  San  Fernando  mountain. 

Lieut  B  left  early  in  the  morning  with  all  the  mounted  men, 
with  the  intention  of  encamping  at  the  head  of  the  Santa  Clara 
river,  and  there  waiting  for  me.  I  soon  despatched  one  of  the 
carts  after  him  and  once  more  mounted  my  poor,  horse,  who 
had  now  been  without  food  or  water  for  three  days.  The  only 
water  we  had  was  brought  from  a  mud  hole  some  six  miles  off 
Some  of  the  men  suffered  so  much  that  they  could  not  retain 
their  tongues  in  their  mouth  I  pushed  hard  after  the  stray 
oxen  (leaving  five  men  to  guard  the  remaining  cart,)  and 
finally  came  up  with  them,  returned  to  the  cart  and  made  a 
hurried  start.  I  reached  the  head  of  the  Santa  Clara  river  the 
day  after  and  joined  Lieut  B-  who  was  much  delighted  at  my 
success.  We  now  followed  the  bank  of  the  river  towards  the 
great  road  that  leads  from  Los  Angelos  to  Monterey.  We  made 
forty  miles  this  day  encamping  at  a  fine  ranche  [Camulos?], 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  H0LL1NGSW0RTH  53 


where  we  were  kindly  recieved  by  the  people.  We  rested  the 
next  day  at  this  ranche  and  some  of  our  men  killed  some  game 
which  was  prepared  in  a  fine  pot  pie.  We  were  about  to  sit 
down  to  it,  when  it  was  discovered  as  the  animals  were  driven 
in  for  the  night  that  several  mules  were  lost,  and  had  taken  the 
back  track.  None  but  a  stupid  mule,  would  have  thought  of 
going  back  to  the  place  we  had  left,  for  there  was  nothing  to 
attract  even  a  mule.  I  thought  it  best  to  go  after  them  at  once 
before  it  got  too  dark,  and  taking  one  man  with  me,  we  left  the 
pot  pie  behind  us.  Starting  at  a  hard  gallop  but  dismounting 
every  moment  to  examine  the  tracks  in  the  road,  we  rode  till 
midnight  without  success.  We  then  laid  down  a  pile  of  straw, 
and  wrapping  our  blankets  around  us  tried  to  forget  our  hun- 
ger in  sleep.  I  had  just  fallen  into  a  slumber  when  I  was 
startled  by  an  awful  jerk  I  waked  up  and  found  that  my  horse 
had  been  frightened  by  the  other  one  jumping  against  him,  and 
had  dragged  the  saddle  from  under  my  head.  I  had  tied  him 
to  my  saddle  when  I  lay  down.  I  could  not  help  laughing  at 
the  surprise  of  the  wild  Irishman,  who  was  with  me.  His  horse 
had  sprung  away,  dragging  his  saddle  also,  from  under  his  head, 
and  he  sat  bolt  upright  looking  wildly  around  him,  not  knowing 
whether  his  scalp  had  been  taken  or  not.  At  daylight,  we  went 
back  to  our  camp,  and  found  the  party  preparing  to  start  having 
found  the  mules  during  our  absence,  so  my  hard  ride  did  no 
good  and  nearly  finished  my  noble  gray.  The  severe  hardships 
he  had  undergone  caused  him  to  hang  his  head,  and  look  so 
badly,  I  determined  to  tie  him  to  a  cart,  and  walk  untill  he 
recovered.  I  had  now  lost  a  mule,  worth  two  hundred  dollars 
to  me  and  broken  down  my  favorite  horse  all  for  Col  Stevenson. 
Our  Indians  with  the  guide  at  this  time  all  ran  away  in  the 
night  Some  of  the  men,  volunteered  to  drive  the  carts  in  their 
place,  and  we  pushed  rapidly  on  travelling  night  and  day,  and 
at  last  reached  the  mission  of  [San  Buenaventura]  situated  on 
the  great  road  and  only  two  days  travel  from  Los  Angelos,  we 
having  left  that  place  more  than  a  month,  and  if  they  would 
have  listened  to  me,  we  might  by  this  time  have  been  in  the 
mines  and  Col  S-  have  made  $20,000. 

We  now  travelled  fast  for  Santa  Barbara  leaving  at  every 
step  our  broken  down  animals  in  the  road,  Lieut  B  now  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  as  soon  as  we  arrived  at  Sta  B.  he  would 
leave  all  the  baggage  and  leaving  me  five  men  and  one  cart  we 
arrived  there  after  great  difficulties  Lieut  B-  then  hastened  on, 


54      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


leaving  me  in  charge  of  the  baggage  to  follow,  more  slowly.  It 
was  with  great  difficulty  I  could  keep  my  men  from  giving  up 
at  the  [Santa  Inez?]  mountain.  I  was  obliged  to  pack  all  the 
baggage  on  the  back  of  my  poor  grey,  and  the  noble  fellow  was 
almost  broken  down  passing  over  the  mountain.  We  had  now 
arrived  at  the  Indian  country,  and  my  men  became  very  much 
alarmed  in  consequence,  of  their  having  attacked  several  parties. 
We  met  a  party  who  had  been  attacked  and  beaten  by  them  and 
on  their  seeing  the  wounded  men  their  hearts  failed  them,  and 
they  begged  to  go  back.  Some  swore  they  would  not  fight.  I 
told  them  I  was  determined  to  go  ahead  and  the  first  man  who 
refused  to  fight  on  our  being  attacked  I  would  shoot  him.  This 
had  a  good  effect  on  them  and  I  heard  no  more  of  it.  As  we 
were  getting  to  our  journeys  end,  I  made  a  stop  of  four  days 
to  recruit,  my  worn  out  animals,  at  the  ranch  of  Capt  Darners.16 
I  did  not  at  first  pitch  my  tents,  near  the  house,  but  upon  his 
hearing  that  I  was  encamped  near,  he  sent  for  me  to  come  and 
take  supper  with  him  The  next  day  I  moved  my  encampment 
close  to  the  house.  He  was  very  kind  to  me  made  me  take 
all  my  meals  at  his  house.  His  pretty  daughter  always  sat  at  the 
head  of  the  table  and  appeared  to  be  a  kind  hearted  girl.  I  took 
leave  of  this  place  with  some  regret  and  moved  on  as  rapidly 
as  possible.    At  one  time  we  had  nearly  overtaken  Lieut  B- 

Our  road  got  worse  daily  and  we  were  sometimes  four  days 
making  six  miles.  The  men  frequently  were  ready  to  give  up 
and  nothing  but  my  popularity  prevented  their  leaving,  goods, 
carts,  and  all  in  the  road.  Once,  and  only  once,  did  I  feel  like 
giving  up.  It  was  when  a  cart  was  stuck  in  the  sand  at  twelve 
oclock  at  night,  with  twelve  oxen  in  it,  and  they  could  not  move 
it.  I  then  for  the  first  time  gave  up  and  told  the  men,  they 
might  do  as  they  pleased.  I  would  work  no  more.  They  went 
to  work  and  finally  got  it  out. 

I  have  forgotten  to  mention  that  on  our  arrival  at  Santa 
Barbara,  our  party  caused  some  excitement,  in  consequence  of 
their  all  being  dressed  in  scarlet  shirts.  They  could  not  make 
out  at  first  who  we  were.  Indeed  we  did  make  rather  a  pirat- 
ical appearance.  How  different  it  was  from  my  last  appear- 
ance at  that  place  I  was  a  member  of  a  court  martial,  drest  in 
full  uniform,  with  my  side  arms,  and  mounted  on  a  fine  horse, 
with  a  dozen  fresh  horses  with  me    Now  I  was  on  foot  and  so 


16 — Probably  the  ranch  of  Capt.  William  G.  Dana,  in  San  Luis  Obispo 
County. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  55 


changed  in  appearance  and  circumstances,  no  one  could  recog- 
nise me.  I  passed  close  to  a  lady,  I  was  well  acquainted  with, 
but  she  did  not  know  me.    On  my  arriving  at  the  Ranch  of 

Don  fifteen  miles  from  Monterey,  I  found  the  rest  of  the 

party.  They  had  brought  thirteen  animals  out  of  sixty  four 
head.  Lieut  B  had  gone  into  Monterey  to  have  an  interview 
with  Col  Stevenson.  He  had  left  a  letter  here  for  me  telling 
me  to  take  charge  of  every  thing,  and  wait  untill  I  was  joined 
by  Col  Stevenson.  I  also  received  a  letter  here  from  Col  S. 
which  was  very  kind  telling  me  that  he  would  soon  join  me, 
and  we  would  start  afresh.  He  did  not  appear  to  mind  his 
losses  in  the  least.  We  waited  here  four  days,  and  were  then 
joined  by  Col  S  and  Lieut  B-.  Col  S  told  me  he  was  well  satis- 
fied with  my  exertions,  to  save  his  property.  He  brought  fresh 
mules,  a  wagon,  and  plenty  of  provisions.  I  was  also  much 
pleased  by  a  visit  from  Dr  Murray  who  came  with  them.  He 
brought  me  some  cloathes  and  a  package  off  letters  from  home. 
The  letters  were  often  read  during  my  travels  afterwards.  The 
Doctor  always  thinks  of  me.  He  heard  that  I  was  sick,  and 
took  this  long  ride  to  see  me — He  is  the  same  warm  hearted 
fellow  still 

Our  party  had  now  become  quite  large  Several  more  men 
came  with  Col  S  and  some  Indians.  The  Col  took  charge  of 
the  party  and  in  company  with  Lieut  B-  kept  always  at  the 
head  of  the  advance  guard.  While  I  still  remained  in  charge 
of  the  rear  and  the  baggage,  always  encamping  with  them  at 
night,  and  sleeping  in  the  same  tent  with  Col  S  and  Lieut  B-. 
After  many  days  of  toil  we  reached  the  beautiful  valley  of  the 
Toolaries.  We  spent  four  days  here  recruiting  our  animals  and 
hunting.  Then  moved  on  and  crossed  the  San  Joaquin  Our 
progress  became  very  slow,  owing  to  the  badness  of  the  road. 
On  arriving  at  the  Mokelamy  river,  I  there  saw  for  the  first 
time  little  particles  of  gold,  washed  from  the  earth.  Col  S- 
here  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  all  his  mules  during  the  night. 
I  had  told  him  I  thought  it  was  better  to  starve  than  lose  our 
animals,  and  begged  him  to  have  them  tied  up  at  night  but  he 
neglected  to  do  so.  I  tied  all  my  oxen  up  and  was  ready  to 
move  on  in  the  morning.  Col  S-  sent  me  on  with  the  carts  and 
all  the  men  but  five  who  were  to  take  charge  of  the  wagon  and 
remain  with  himself  and  B-  untill  they  could  find  the  mules  to 
haul  it.  I  moved  on  to  the  center  of  what  is  called  the  dry 
diggings  pitched  our  tents  and  commenced  preparing  for  winter. 


56      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


I  bought  a  house  for  myself  and  my  friend  B-  and  began  dig- 
ging for  gold.  My  first  days  work  was  very  encouraging.  I 
dug  about  forty  dollars,  and  the  next  two  days  not  twenty  five 
cts. — Col  S-  and  B-  joined  us,  and  sold  off  their  goods  very 
rapidly,  at  enormous  prices. 

The  winter  now  set  in  with  great  severity.  Snow  fell  deep 
and  we  soon  saw  what  hardships  we  must  undergo  if  we 
remained  all  the  winter  in  the  mines  So  after  a  hasty  consul- 
tation, we  determined  to  return  to  San  Francisco  or  Monterey 
at  once.  We  sold  off  every  thing  but  our  blankets  and  the 
clothes  on  our  backs  We  saw  our  bright  dreams  of  fortune 
fade  away.  Some  of  our  party  were  lucky  but  the  greater  num- 
ber could  not  make  their  bread.  So  we  made  rapid  preparations 
to  leave  the  gold  region.  Col  S-  B,  and  myself  set  out  early 
one  bright  morning  to  return.  We  were  on  foot,  our  rifles  and 
our  blankets  being  packed  on  the  only  horse  we  had,  and  on 
reaching  the  Mokelamy  river,  he  fell  down  in  it,  wetting  every 
thing  we  had  It  was  with  much  difficulty,  I  got  the  things  on 
shore,  and  our  troubles  came  thick  upon  us.  The  Col.  soon 
discovered  that  he  had  left  his  great  coat  in  the  mines  with 
$1500,  in  the  pocket.  Our  horse  now  broke  down  and  Bonny 
concluded  to  stop  and  encamp,  while  the  Col  pushed  on  with 
the  guide  towards  Sutters  fort  with  the  intention  of  sending 
mules  for  our  use.  I  shouldered  my  rifle  with  the  determina- 
tion of  going  back  for  Col  S-s  coat.  The  snow  had  fallen  to 
the  depth  of  several  inches,  and  the  weather  became  very  severe. 
After  assisting  B.  to  build  a  good  fire  to  protect  him  from  the 
bears  during  the  night  I  left  him  with  a  young  Spaniard  and 
set  out  on  my  lonely  tramp  over  the  snow.  I  was  fortunate  in 
not  losing  our  trail  and  arrived  late  at  night  in  the  mines.  I 
found  the  coat  but  no  money  in  it,  nor  had  there  ever  been  any 
there. 

1  remained  in  the  mines  all  night  and  set  out  early  in  the 
morning  to  join  B — .  I  found  him  buried  in  snow  and  half 
frozen.  His  fire  having  burnt  down  in  the  night  he  could  not 
renew  it  owing  to  the  situation  of  his  hand.  We  spent  atiother 
night  in  this  wild  spot,  without  any  news  of  Col  S-  or  the 
mules.  I  then  advised  that  we  should  move  on  and  try  to  find 
our  own  way  through  the  wilderness.  B-  consented  at  last  and 
we  made  a  late  start.  We  had  gone  but  a  few  miles  when  our 
poor  broken  down  horse  rolled  down  a  hill  dragging  me  after 
him.    We  hid  all  our  things,  and  taking  our  blankets  on  our 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  57 


backs  we  set  out,  I  taking  the  lead.  It  was  with  great  difficulty 
we  followed  the  trail.  Once  we  lost  it  and  B  sat  down  much 
discouraged  on  the  snow.  I  circled  round  like  an  old  hound 
untill  I  found  it  once  more,  and  we  then  went  rapidly  on  untill 
night  came  on  with  a  terrible  snow  storm.  Of  all  the  nights 
spent  in  California,  I  think  that  was  the  worst.  I  hope  I  shall 
never  spend  such  another.  We  however  got  safely  to  a  French- 
mans  hut,  where  we  were  well  treated,  and  after  a  few  more 
hard  ships  we  joined  Col  S-  at  a  ranch  near  Sutters  fort.  There 
I  left  him  and  B-  to  return  to  the  place  where  I  hid  the  things. 
I  took  two  mules  on  this  back  trip  but  I  got  benighted,  and 
came  very  near  being  taken  by  the  Indians.  I  found  the  things 
safe,  and  brought  them  to  Stevenson.  I  then  left  for  Monterey, 
where  I  arrived  after  eight  days,  completely  broken  down.  I 
had  tracked  my  way  over  the  snow  and  through  the  wilderness 
of  San  Joaquin,  sometimes  alone  and  part  of  the  time  with  one 
companion  He  was  a  volunteer  I  had  formerly  known,  and 
met  near 

In  those  few  days  I  suffered,  I  think,  everything  Hunger 
and  cold,  the  constant  dread  of  Indians  and  wild  beasts.  One 
day  when  we  ventured  to  make  a  little  fire,  the  explosion  of 
some  cartridges  nearly  put  out  my  eyes,  and  caused  me  great 
suffering.  We  were  then  lost  on  the  great  plain.  I  have  left 
out  much  that  was  interesting  in  this  trip,  for  want  of  time,  and 
have  only  written  that,  which  would  most  interest  my  friends, 
should  this  book  ever  come  to  their  hands.  Suffice  it  now  to 
say  that  a  few  more  days  of  such  suffering  would  have  ended 
my  days  in  this  world 

There  is  one  circumstance  I  have  never  related  and  though 
it  is  long,  since  it  occurred  it  is  yet  fresh  on  my  memory,  when 
Col.  Stevenson  left  us  in  the  snow,  at  the  time  I  returned  to 
the  camp  for  his  coat,  he  took  with  him  the  only  guide  we  had, 
and  arrived  safely  at  a  Tradeing  post,  twenty  miles  from  Sutters 
fort.  He  their  began  to  recollect,  where  he  had  left  us  and  that 
we  had  ten  thousand  Dollars  in  gold  dust  of  his  in  our  posses- 
sion. As  the  hours  rolled  away  without  any  news  of  us,  he 
began  to  fear  we  were  lost,  he  made  several  offers  to  persons 
of  a  large  sum  of  money  to  go  in  the  snow  and  bring  us  out 
safely ;  he  went  as  far  as  to  offer  two  thousand  dollars,  as  the 
time  wore  on  he  became  more  urgent,  and  walked  the  floor, 
appearing  to  be  bowed  down  with  the  trouble  that  surrounded 
him,  as  he  after  wards  said,  his  heart  was  with  us  in  our  strug- 


58      JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSW ORTH 


gles,  threw  the  snow.  He  was  much  rejoiced  to  see  a  volun- 
teer [illegible  word]  at  the  tradeing  post,  who  on  hearing  of 
the  trouble  that  two  of  the  officers  of  his  regiment  were  in 
offered  without  pay  to  take  some  mules,  and  go  to  their  relief. 
He  started  and  met  us  seven  miles  from  the  post  trudgeing 
threw  the  snow  knee  deep  with  the  determination  of  reaching 
the  tradeing  post  or  die  trying.  We  had  left  our  baggage 
behind,  but  brought  the  money  safe.  I  returned  for  the  bag- 
gage, and  brought  it  safe  to  the  Col.  The  next  day  was  Christ- 
mas, what  a  Christmas  it  was  to  us.  We  bought  a  salmon 
for  eight  dollars,  and  tried  to  make  merry.  The  next  day  we 
all  separated,  I  started  to  trudge  my  way  threw  the  snow  to 
Monterey,  a  distance  of  seven  hundred  miles,  alone 

LETTER  FROM  BELT  TO  HOLLINGSWORTH 

Stockton  July  7th  1849 

My  Dear  Hollingsworth 

I  have  just  understood  from  Penny  that  you  had  met  with 
a  loss  by  the  burning  of  your  camp  &c  &c — dam  the  difference, 
strike  a  hard  blow — &  make  it  up,  you  can  easily  do  it,  pro- 
viding you  dont  get  discouraged.  I  am  at  your  service,  any 
way  that  I  can  assist  you  will  afford  me  pleasure,  you  can 
draw  upon  me  at  ten  days  sight  for  two  or  three  thousand  dol- 
lars, if  you  want  it,  or  any  amount  of  goods.  I  leave  here  to 
morrow  morning  for  San  Francisco,  is  the  reason  I  say  ten 
days  sight,  for  by  that  time  I  will  be  back  from  San  Francisco. 
I  shall  leave  directions  with  my  bookkeper  to  accept  your  draft, 
(Brinsmade) 

Dont  fail  to  make  use  of  me,  either  you  or  any  of  your 
partners,  so  cheer  up  &  laugh  at  your  misfortunes,  it  can  be 
easily  be  made  up — 

In  great  haste  as  the  stage  is  about  starting 

Yours  &c  &c 

Geo  G  Belt 

AUG.  17,  1849.  I  once  more  take  my  pen  in  hand  having 
skiped  over  the  last  five  months  of  my  life.  I  have  again  passed 
over  the  San  Joaquin  valley  the  scene  of  my  former  hardships 
and  explored  still  further  into  the  Placers.  And  I  now  again 
have  returned  to  Monterey  resolved  to  go  home.  I  lost  all  by 
a  fire  in  the  mines.   I  must  now  return  home  a  poor  man. 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  59 


TWO  SCENES  IN  CALIFORNIA  DRAWN  BY  WILLIAM  HUTTON 
THE  MISSION  OF  SAN  GABRIEL  IN  CALIFORNIA  DRAWN  BY 
WILLIAM  HUTTON  OF  WASHINGTON  CITY 

FAREWELL  TO  MONTEREY  AND  CALIFORNIA 

All  great  men  find  it  troublesome  to  commence  a  work  of 
any  character  whatever;  few  like  to  acknowledge  this,  but  those 
who  have  the  honesty  to  do  so,  are  always  certain  to  find  a 
responsive  chord  in  our  breast  touched.  Our  great  nature's 
poet  Burns  is  never  happier  than  when  rhyming  over  the  trouble 
it  costs  him  to  spur  on  his  Pegasus,  or  his  labor  in  wooing  the 
muse  to  her  work.  Byron  though  so  voluminous  had  his  hours 
of  listlessness ;  he  too,  spurred,  as  you  can  perceive  in  some 
labored  verses.  But  of  all  incentives  to  action,  the  greatest 
spur  is  a  friend  dinging  at  your  elbow  with  "do  it  to-day,  come, 
do  it  now,  or  you  will  forget  and  leave  it  unfinished":  this  I 
have  found  more  urging  than  poverty  itself.  Is  not  some  of 
this  dread  of  commencing  at  the  foundation  of  the  feeling  so 
beautifully  alluded  to  by  Jefferson  where  he  says  men  will  bear 
with  wrong  under  an  old  government  and  customs  long  and 
painfully  rather  than  make  the  effort  to  throw  it  off.  A  doubt 
of  the  result  of  the  effort,  has  an  undoubted  influence  in  holding 
us  back. 

After  all  this  preamble  you  may  think,  my  friends,  that 
there  is  some  great  work  in  prospective — Well  I  have  such  an 
one — You  now  expect  a  Tarn  O'Shanter,  or  a  Childe  Harold  or 
a  Declaration  of  Independence — not  a  bit  of  it  will  you  get. 
The  work  referred  to,  is  to  bid  my  old  Monterey  friends  good 
bye;  and  this  you  may  think  easy,  but  hold:  have  you  ever 
been  in  peace,  in  war,  in  camp,  in  garrison,  in  speculation,  with 
the  same  friends  in  sickness  and  in  health,  in  conditions  that 
required  consolation  and  in  conditions  where  you  had  had  the 
sweet  opportunity  of  affording  condolence?  have  you  been  in 
a  country  where  it  grew  up  with  you,  when  all  its  hills,  vallies, 
towns,  and  wealth,  and  natural  beauty  changed  owners  under 
your  eye,  and  the  flag  of  your  country,  spreading  itself  as 
gracefully  as  calmly,  shed  its  benign  laws  over  a  new  people, 
making  them  all  to  feel  themselves  Princes  despite  their  efforts 
to  the  contrary?  When  you  knew  the  whole  economy  of  the 
nation,  had  been  intrusted  in  its  councils,  and  had  grasped  the 
hands  of  hundreds  of  your  countrymen,  greeting  them  joyfully 
as  they  landed  to  take  possession  of  the  land  of  promise  that 
you  had  borne  a  hand  in  conquering? 


60 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH 


This,  all  this,  and  every  particle  of  it  can  be  laid  as  flat- 
tering unction  to  the  soul.  And  then  when  to  this  vast  amount 
of  sentiment,  is  added  the  feeling  of  endearment  to  persons,  who 
(permitting  their  pride  of  nation  to  be  conquered  by  the  more 
worthy  feeling,  love  to  the  human  race)  have  performed  the 
duties  of  mother,  sisters,  and  brothers,  the  penstock  of  man's 
nature  is  filled  and  he  dreads  a  leave-taking,  fearful,  not  so 
much  of  showing  any  weakness  as  of  ruining  that  sensibility 
which  it  should  be  our  aim  to  preserve  green  and  delicate,  as 
the  hour  it  was  implanted  in  us  by  our  Creator — 

Man's  obligations  however,  are  extensive,  and  fie  on  him, 
who,  forgetting  his  native  scenes  and  first  friends,  should  forget 
his  duties  to  them.  The  first  mentioned  endearments  are 
received,  the  latter  are  inherent,  and  though  stiller  yet  are  they 
the  more  deeply  moved,  when  the  rambler  once  again  visits  the 
scenes  of  his  childhood  and  the  homes  of  the  friends  of  his 
adolescence. 

Then  California  good-by  with  an  hasta  despues;  if  ever  the 
despues  comes,  you  can  rest  satisfied  that  none  will  greet  your 
cloud-bound  coast  with  a  more  loving  exclamation,  than  the  tall 
friend  you  have  so  long  and  generously  nurtured.  In  his 
absence  there  may  not  be  a  watering  place  on  your  long  line 
of  road,  which  shall  not  receive  the  tribute  of  his  remembrance ; 
not  a  street,  path,  or  passage,  adobie  wall,  dingy  hut,  or  parlor 
in  misty  Monterey  that  will  not  again  and  again  be  trod  over 
in  sweet  and  plodding  thought. 

And  rest  you  well  my  friends — You  with  whom  I've  borne 
war's  alarms — with  whom  I've  passed  the  bivouac — with  whom 
I've  threaded  the  weary  march — with  whom  I've  starved — with 
whom  I've  feasted,  may  sleep  rest  lightly  on  your  pillows  and 
bright  reality  open  with  the  day,  may  peace  and  honor  in  age 
crown  your  toil  of  youth  

And  You,  lastly,  because  most  entitled  to  our  freshest  recol- 
lections ;  most  great,  because  most  virtuous ;  most  worthy, 
because  most  kind  and  gentle;  most  lovely  and  fair;  most 
alive  to  distinguishing  and  rewarding  honor  and  virtue  in  us 
poor  sons  of  Adam  ;  how  well  would  I  feel  rewarded,  if  I  but 
knew  that  while  there  a  thousand  leagues  hence,  while  resting 
on  my  pillow  some  kind  voice  should  be  murmuring  "I  wish  _he 

were  here".    And  to  particularize,  Dona  A  and  her 

witching  M  from  whose  eyes  shoot  more  meteors  of 


JOURNAL  OF  JOHN  McHENRY  HOLLINGSWORTH  61 


love  than  stars  there  are  that  sparkle  in  her  name — The  bloom- 
ing peach-cheeked  Anna  C. — 

"And  one  whose  name  I  may  not  say, 

For  not  Mimosa's  tender  tree 

Shrinks  sooner  from  the  touch  than  she." 

May  all  your  daughters  be  as  virtuous  as  their  mothers,  and 
your  sons,  wise  and  brave. 

All!  All!!  All!!!  Goodby— 

J.  McH.  H. 

LETTER  FROM  CALIFORNIA 
Extract  From  New  York  Mirror 

"Among  the  arrivals  are  Lieutenants  Beale  and  Elliott, 
U.  S.  N. ;  and  Lieutenant  McHenry  Hollingsworth,  late  of  the 
1st  New  York  Regiment  of  Volunteers. . . .  Lieutenant  Hollings- 
worth, after  four  years'  arduous  service  in  California,  during 
which  he  acquitted  himself  honorably  and  creditably,  was 
elected  as  a  Delegate  to  the  Convention,  from  the  district  of 
San  Joaquin,  by  a  large  majority  of  the  voters — a  token  of  dis- 
tinction the  more  honorable,  from  the  fact  that  he  took  no  part 
whatever  in  the  election,  and  was  absent  in  Monterey  at  the 
time.  His  character  and  services  so  far  gained  the  esteem  of 
Govr  Riley,  and  the  officers  of  the  existing  civil  government, 
that,  although  many  applicants  pressed  their  claims,  he  was 
selected  as  bearer  of  the  new  constitution  to  the  President  of 
the  United  States,  together  with  official  despatches  to  the  War 
Department — a  mark  of  confidence  of  which  many  an  older 
officer  might  well  be  proud.  Lieutenant  Hollingsworth  leaves 
California,  warmly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him,  and  with 
the  best  wishes  for  his  future  welfare." 


